Posted on 01/03/2006 7:10:31 AM PST by Cagey
SAYREVILLE, N.J. -- Four teens stole 27 baby Jesus statues from nativity scenes outside churches and homes and planned to burn them, police said.
Two of the suspects, who ranged from 15 to 19 years old, said they acted out of boredom, authorities said.
"They were looking for things to do," Detective Ken Kelly said. "They told us, 'We were going to have a baby Jesus burning party."'
One suspect told detectives, "We just wanted to see their heads burning," Kelly said.
The suspects, who were arrested Monday, face charges of theft, criminal mischief, destruction of venerated objects and conspiracy, and could face five years in prison if convicted.
Robert Olson, whose 18-year-old son, Christopher, was charged, said he and his family were shocked by the arrest.
"Although Chris is sometimes misguided, this was not something we expected out of him," he said.
Olson said his son is unemployed and working toward resuming his high school education. The teen is on probation for a disorderly persons offense involving a disagreement with a neighbor, his father said.
"I hope my son and the others will come to grips with what they've done and make full restitution and get whatever help they need to get rid of those feelings," Olson said.
Frank Payne, whose 19-year-old son, Michael, also was charged, said bias was not a factor.
"Michael has been hanging around with the wrong people," he said. "He goes to college. He's an outstanding young kid."
Also charged were 18-year-old Nicholas Hess and a 15-year-old who was not identified due to his age.
**I actually believe the kids are not particularly anti-Chrisitan, more that this was a merely profane thing to do that was very easy.**
You are kidding yourself here. These "bored" adults picked their entertainment with regard to the target - Christians. They think it is funny to ridicule and hurt Christians by defacing what they know Christians hold dear - the birth of Jesus. They are acting like the families, schools and culture they have been brought up in.
And no, they don't "need" the baby Jesus more than the people they stole from. That is what you tell yourself so you don't have to deal with the reality of the hatred and disrespect of Christians symbolized by this act.
Bad prank that seemed like a good idea at the time #4,327.
This article makes light of the kids crimes. This is more than a hate crime - there is something really wrong with kids who
a) steal from 26 people
b) attack a religious figure and
c) want to burn an image of a child.
Isn't starting fires and abusing children a sign of a sociopath?
My gut feeling is these kids are more disturbed than people think.
"And no, they don't "need" the baby Jesus more than the people they stole from. That is what you tell yourself so you don't have to deal with the reality of the hatred and disrespect of Christians symbolized by this act."
I think you misunderstood this portion of my post.
In this portion, I was talking about actual thieves who steal for profit or for their own use, not vandals such as the people at issue.
The point was my nativity scene is mildly vandal-resistent -- because it is, alas, common for kids to steal the baby Jesus, just as these vandals did.
My efforts would not, however, stop a dedicated thief.
listen stooopid... how's this, I am bored and I want your head on a STICK!!! see how it works???
Are we sure they are not just born-again evangelicals who are trying to stamp out "idolatry."
Galatians 6:7 KJV
Part of the problem Mr. Olson is that your son has a sick soul. The kind of help he needs will not be found in a pill or some anger management class. He needs guidance and spiritual help, something I'm afraid on the basis of this article that you have probably neglected to get him for years.
Maybe it was the plastic that ticked them off. Something about a plastic Jesus is just.........tacky.
thanks
Lou Saverese, a resident of the street where the car was found, felt as if a mystery had been solved. About three weeks before Christmas, he said, the baby Jesus in his Nativity scene disappeared.
"My wife thought the wind might have taken it away, but then we noticed other people on the block were also missing their baby Jesus," he said.
Then, in a park down the road, he saw two more plastic Jesus figures hanging from a telephone pole. Police cut them down.
No hate crime here....
was meant as sarcasm.
I did not know DU made their pledges do such things.
The Middlesex County prosecutors office considered bringing bias crime charges in the case, but decided against it, ruling that evidence in the case does not fit within state guidelines governing bias prosecutions. KYW
Christians are incredibly tolerant people, and America is incredibly tolerant as a result. Those that battle Christianity in this country are fighting against their own freedoms. Ironic, ain't it?
I should have posted the following story yesterday:
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_365210351.html
Look at what was done to the huge Crucifix in the Church cemetery! My grandparents and aunts and uncles and great-grandparents are buried there.
There is a video at this link surveying the damage to the cemetery.
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_365210351.html
I have lots of projects around the house. If their parents can't keep them busy, turn them over to me.
When the Baby Jesus figures were hanging from the telephone pole, did this make the news? If the Koran were found atop a telephone pole, satellite trucks would have been racing to the scene, don't you think?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.