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The burning of the cross was race related, but the parade was definitely emphasizing the hate.

How so? I'm thinking if someone put a burning Star of David on my lawn because I'm supportive of Israel that I would do more than go on parade with signs expressing my frustration.

Maybe you would turn the other cheek in such a way that no one would ever know it happened?

I guess what I meant by "emphasizing the hate" was that the towns people (and on the news it seemed like a lot of white teenagers - peers of the kids that did it) were saying that there wasn't room for this kind of hate ("cross-burning") in their town.

This as opposed to last-years(?) Seattle protest where the "parade" went out onto the freeway and stopped traffic so the primarily black protesters could rail against white police officers - and making the whole issue a "race" issue.

I just didn't want folks to think the parade was all blacks, and that it was a "whites against blacks" issue.

And I'm not sure what I would do if I had a symbol burned in my yard. I would hope I would have the reaction of the pastor. At first wanting to throw sticks and stones (or some oo buckshot), but then giving forgiveness. How about shooting them with salt and then giving forgiving them ;). "I'm a preacher - not a Saint".

On the news the pastor said he would hope the boys (two turned themselves in as of yesterday) would let him spend some time with them after they've served their punishment and maybe he can help them somehow. Forgiveness doesn't mean they don't have to serve their just punishment.

"...that I would do more than go on parade with signs expressing my frustration."

The story of Saul is an interesting one. Another was that of Peter's skill with his sword, which kind of skill takes much training. We should love our enemies and pray for their salvation, but I don't think we're always required to let them go unopposed. Our soldiers could not reconcile popular peacenik mysticism and only small parts of popular scriptures with their duty.

"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (Matthew 5:18, King James).