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“Bible Pages Used to Set Church Bus on Fire”
by News Channel 5.com - Jeff Tang   
March 1st, 2010

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.

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