Member of pro-Nazi group used Molotov cocktails in attempt to burn down Ohio church planning to host a drag event, FBI says.

[essentialsaltes]

A member of a neo-Nazi group was arrested Friday after attempting to burn down a church in Ohio that was planning to host a drag show event, according to court documents.

Aimenn D. Penny, 20, of Alliance, Ohio, has been charged in the US District Court in Cleveland with one count of malicious use of explosive materials and one count of possessing a destructive device, according to a criminal complaint.

The FBI claims Penny is a member of “White Lives Matter,” a pro-Nazi group, according to an affidavit filed in court Friday. The FBI said the group has “racist, pro-Nazi, and homophobic views.”

Penny confessed he attempted to burn down the church using Molotov cocktails, “to protect the children and stop the drag show event,” according to the criminal complaint.

Law enforcement agencies obtained a court order to collect historical location data from Penny’s cellphone after receiving a tip, the affidavit said. While searching Penny’s home, agents found a Nazi flag and other Nazi memorabilia, a handwritten note with ideological statements, a White Lives Matter of Ohio T-shirt, a gas mask, multiple rolls of blue painter’s tape and gas cans, the document says.

The Community Church of Chesterland, located in Geauga County, went ahead with hosting the drag queen story hour and brunch event Saturday, the church’s minister told CNN.

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see also: Doughnut shop in Tulsa hit with a molotov cocktail after drag-queen art show

 

[Merrill]

Why would a church be holding a drag-show event? That would be like having strippers int he chapel

 

[Hans Blaster]

Why would a church be holding a drag-show event? That would be like having strippers int he chapel

Because it's not a "drag show". It's a story reading for children. The story tellers were dressed in "drag", they were not "stripping". How is that any different from story tellers dressed in animal costumes?

 

[Merrill]

OK, why would a church have guys in drag reading to little kids?

 

[RocksInMyHead]

OK, why would a church have guys in drag reading to little kids?

Because they want to? It may come as a surprise to you, but not all congregations have a problem with drag queens.

 

[Pommer]

OK, why would a church have guys in drag reading to little kids?

Are “vestments” okay?

 

[USincognito]

Why would a church be holding a drag-show event? That would be like having strippers int he chapel

That's your takeaway from news story about an attempted act of terrorism?

 

[Merrill]

wow, really bad responses to this, and this looks like trolling.

Churches are places of worship, not edgy sociopolitical activities aimed at kids

(and of course terrorism is wrong, but I don't need to point that out)

 

[RocksInMyHead]

Churches are places of worship, not edgy sociopolitical activities aimed at kids

Churches are community spaces, to be used for whatever the members of the church wish to use them for (with the permission of the church leadership, of course).

 

[essentialsaltes]

(and of course terrorism is wrong, but I don't need to point that out)

Sometimes, disfavored minorities are called upon to condemn crimes.

 

[Merrill]

Churches are community spaces, to be used for whatever the members of the church wish to use them for (with the permission of the church leadership, of course).

so church is just about what people want to do when they get together? No guidelines from say people like ...Jesus?

if that is the case, why not set up a pay-day loan operation next to the tabernacle? Maybe do some gambling in the basement, or strip shows on Friday?

 

[RocksInMyHead]

so church is just about what people want to do when they get together? No guidelines from say people like ...Jesus?

A "church service" or "mass" generally has set parameters. Outside of services, the church building may be used for whatever the church leadership deems appropriate.

if that is the case, why not set up a pay-day loan operation next to the tabernacle? Maybe do some gambling in the basement, or strip shows on Friday?

Assuming that those establishments would be within the zoning laws of the locality and that they would not violate the bylaws of any parent religious body (i.e. the SBC), then why not?

In this case, the church is affiliated with the UCC, which is a pretty liberal body. You are free not to attend if you don't like what they do.

 

[Merrill]

A "church service" or "mass" generally has set parameters. Outside of services, the church building may be used for whatever the church leadership deems appropriate.

Assuming that those establishments would be within the zoning laws of the locality and that they would not violate the bylaws of any parent religious body (i.e. the SBC), then why not?

In this case, the church is affiliated with the UCC, which is a pretty liberal body. You are free not to attend if you don't like what they do.

I am not saying what they are doing is unlawful, or that they should be prevented from doing what they want (as long as laws are not broken)

but I am saying I disagree with drag-queens interacting with kids in churches

 

[Hans Blaster]

Maybe do some gambling in the basement,

About the only fun thing that ever happened in our church.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

I am not saying what they are doing is unlawful, or that they should be prevented from doing what they want (as long as laws are not broken)

but I am saying I disagree with drag-queens interacting with kids in churches

Disagreeing with something is fine. It's the holier-than-thou moralizing that I have a problem with.