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Vandals target Charlotte church that welcomes LGBTQ community

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thieves broke into Caldwell Presbyterian Church on East Fifth Street in Charlotte late Wednesday and vandalized a painting with Scripture that targets homosexuality.

Church members called it a personal attack on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The church embraces its call to be a diverse, progressive and mission-oriented congregation centered on justice and advocacy, according to its website.

“This one has a different feel about it for some reason. It almost seems like a message of some sort. We don't know,” a church member said.

Thieves broke in through the church's bathroom window and then targeted a painting of the state of North Carolina that was painted in rainbow colors.

They used a marker to write Scripture about homosexuality and sexual sin on the painting.

Then they stole items from the church’s coffee shop, which is used by nonprofits throughout Charlotte that provide jobs and use supplies.

“We are not going to let it stop us,” a church member said.

No arrests have been made.

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