A fire at a predominantly Black church in North Carolina has been deemed arson.
According to NBC, Charlotte fire officials are investigating whether a Wednesday morning arson at Briar Creek Baptist church was a hate crime.
The fire caused an estimated $250,000 in damage.
Pastor Mannix Kinsey spoke out about the incident, saying the church’s congregation has already extended a hand of forgiveness towards the arsonist. “Buildings can be repaired, they can be built over,” Kinsey said. “This is the opportunity for God to touch the hearts of individuals.”
The news of the arson comes not long after the Charleston shooting that took the lives of nine innocent people at South Carolina’s Emanuel AME church.
How do you feel when you go to your church? Are you able to comfortably worship without feeling unsafe or are you on edge in your place of peace? Do you think having security at places of worship would ease the current tension? Sound off below.
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