Bible Pages Used To Set Church Bus On Fire

[wyguy]

Bible Pages Used To Set Church Bus On Fire

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Investigators said arsonists in Rutherford County used an unthinkable item to add fuel to their fire, the Bible. Authorities said a group of teens used the pages to set fire to a church bus.

Fire officials believe this is the work of some teens trying to have fun, but investigators and church members are not amused one bit.

"The disrespect to God's property is how we see it," said Assistant Pastor Joel Young.

Charred corners of the Bible are still scattered on the Middle Tennessee Baptist Church parking lot, now part of an arson investigation scene.

On Thursday evening, authorities believe two teens set pages of the holy book on fire then threw it inside one of the church's buses. Investigators suspect the teens had a change of heart and tried to use the extinguisher to put out the fire.

The extinguisher and the bible are pieces of evidence that could link authorities to the culprits, who took off before anyone could stop them.

"Hopefully we'll get some information from it," said Assistant Chief Allen Swader with the Murfreesboro Fire Department.

The bus only received only minor damage. Assistant Pastor Joel Young said each Sunday they are used for an important mission.

"These buses are the heartbeat of the church. Some of the buses you see go pick up children who can't get rides come to the church. We provide that for them," said Young.

As for the burnt Bible, Pastor Young worries less about the charred pages and more about the messages they carry.

"Even in my earliest youth I had respect for the word of God. I couldn't imagine doing something like that to a Bible. I don't know what folks were thinking when they chose that to burn," said Young.

If caught the culprits will likely face arson and vandalism charges. Murfreesboro Police said Thursday's crime might be linked to an incident earlier this year when a group of teens got into a fight near the church's parking lot.

The Assistant Pastor said the church has also been vandalized a few times over the past couple of years, but nothing like this.

No one was injured in the incident.

Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 893-7867.

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=12053017

[wyguy]

Can you just imagine the uproar if they used pages from a Quran?

[Ascot Preston]

Can you just imagine the uproar if they used pages from a Quran?

Oh yes...I can.

however, that is the difference between the words of the Messiah

and the teachings of Islam.

Mat 5:44 but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;

Mat 5:45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.

[nebula]

I am against the whole concept of "hate crimes" -

But since it's in our system . . . what are the chances this will be labeled as such?

[wyguy]

I am against the whole concept of "hate crimes" -

But since it's in our system . . . what are the chances this will be labeled as such?

very little, would be my guess. didn't you get the memo? it's ok to hate Christians.

True. An unbelieving, sinful world will tolerate anything - except Christianity.

[MorningGlory]

Can you just imagine the uproar if they used pages from a Quran?

There is a reason for this. The Qu'ran is merely a book. The Bible is the Word of God and, as such, cannot really be destroyed. This is why Christians don't freak out when a Bible is damaged or destroyed; the Word is eternal.

[wyguy]

Can you just imagine the uproar if they used pages from a Quran?

There is a reason for this. The Qu'ran is merely a book. The Bible is the Word of God and, as such, cannot really be destroyed. This is why Christians don't freak out when a Bible is damaged or destroyed; the Word is eternal.

What an excellent point!

[amor]

Doesn't this need a little more emphasis

On Thursday evening, authorities believe two teens set pages of the holy book on fire then threw it inside one of the church's buses. Investigators suspect the teens had a change of heart and tried to use the extinguisher to put out the fire.

Two adolescents do something stupid and then albeit belatedly take some responsibility for their actions. They could have just walked away and left less evidence.

As to the use of the Bible well the Pastor tells us that

Even in my earliest youth I had respect for the word of God. I couldn't imagine doing something like that to a Bible. I don't know what folks were thinking when they chose that to burn,"

But from the Bible itself we learn that Jesus is the word of God

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.

6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

[nebula]

As to the buses isn't it odd that you need buses to bring the poor to the "church".The church shouldn't be a building a expensive long bus ride away, it should be out there with the poor

OK Mr. Read-the-article . . .

""These buses are the heartbeat of the church. Some of the buses you see go pick up children who can't get rides come to the church. We provide that for them," said Young."

[Fez]

I wonder where they got the bible from in the first place? Burning it was wrong yes, but I guess they decided the same when they tried to put it out.

Hey, you should see my "working" bible. It has really been abused It is bent, has pages stuck together from a rainstorm in Mozambique (have to pry them apart), it has blood stains, axle grease stains (was working on my motor cycle when I had a thought to look up a verse), coffee stains, tear stains, highlights, pencil marks. dog eared pages, a delaminated cover, dirt stains, etc. It's like a battle scarred piece of armor. I love my old bible, and hope soon my new one will look the same....

"Show me a person whose bible is falling apart, and I will show you a person who isn't"