Faith trumps terrorism

Church burnings are supposed to be an ugly part of our not-so-distant past.

A religious, and at times racial, statement, the burning of a place of worship is more than a crime of passion or an acting out of misguided moral or political leanings. Church-burning is terrorism, and it’s a terrorism we’re dismayed to see take hold in our Valley.

Those who participated in Friday’s arson at Wasilla Bible Church are no better than the terrorist half a world away who bombs a mosque in the name of religious jihad. That those inside the local church were unhurt is a blessing. That Wasilla Bible Church is also the place of worship for Gov. Sarah Palin and came under national scrutiny during the recent presidential campaign makes the act more suspicious.

As a nation that was founded on the bedrock principles of freedom to worship and freedom of political expression without fear of reprisal, our heartfelt sympathies go out to members of Wasilla Bible Church, along with our confidence in their faith and resilience.

On Saturday, Palin’s spokesman Bill McAllister issued a statement condemning this terrorist act, perhaps motivated by the “undeserved negative attention” the church received during the campaign. We add our condemnation, as well as a hope that those responsible also be pursued as domestic terrorists as well as arsonists.

“Whatever the motives of the arsonist, the governor has faith in the scriptural passage that what was intended for evil will in some way be used for good,” McAllister says in his statement.

We agree. If the intention in setting fire to Wasilla Bible Church was to alienate and destroy the faith of Palin, her supporters, the church’s membership or all Valley residents, the terrorists will be disappointed. They failed to shake our faith. Wasilla Bible Church meets this morning — as it does every Sunday — albeit at a different location in Wasilla Middle School.

In the meantime, we are hopeful local and federal authorities will find those responsible and take appropriate action to keep this evil from our Valley.