Atheists desecrate country church

[peasporridge]

The perpetrators drew vulgar graffiti on the wall of the church an also wrote "God is a lie".
They also desecrated about 40 gravestones.

This is particularly distressing because a wedding is scheduled today (Easter Saturday)

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/sickening-blasphemous-cowardly-church-gravestones-140717226.html

https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/04/police-investigating-after-st-james-church-and-over-40-graves-defaced-ahead-of-good-friday/

This clearly demonstrates that Christianity is under threat.from the secular lobby.

You're being pretty disingenuous. You can think what you like and pray how you like.

Filming yourself standing in judgement of women is not a neutral act. It's not a criminal act either, arguably, but if you're posting on the web about moral compasses and persecution, it's worth considering how this might look across different groups.

Whilst "God is a lie" is certainly a sentiment I agree with (atheist) I certainly wouldn't be so idiotic as to paint the words on a church. I don't think many people lacking faith would either. My lack of belief doesn't mean I don't respect people with one. People should have a freedom of belief, as protected in law.

Its the Easter holidays and some teenagers got bored. Maybe councillor Wharton-Hardman, instead of pinning it immediately on a group of people without evidence, should think about what his council can do to engage teenagers through school holidays? Because based on what I see here, this is hardly deep thinking on the side of the vandals.

Christianity isn't under attack. Christianity is under scrutiny and criticism. There's a distinct difference.

I live alongside many Muslims and people from other faiths. I’ve never seen one person pray on the street or at work, ever, no matter what faith they are.

And, as an atheist who grew up in a devout Christian context, I wholeheartedly agree with those comments, and think religion is an unpalatable mix of wishful thinking and fear of death. What I don’t do is run around trashing churchyards. Christianity is a dwindling force. No one needs to desecrate churches to make that point.

Vandalism is terrible.
Christianity is under threat though from those that believe different things from Christians. One of those is atheism where people don't think that there is a God.
I was raised by atheists and the longer I live the less I think that there could be a benign God.

And that looks like kids.

It’s the sort of thing teenage edgelords would say…..

@ArtemisiaTheArtist "Maybe councillor Wharton-Hardman, instead of pinning it immediately on a group of people without evidence, should think about what his council can do to engage teenagers through school holidays?"

That's just a "nanny-state" approach.

Why is it the Council's job to act "in loco parentis" ? The council's job is to make sure the bins get emptied etc not provide amusement for bored individuals

Also @peasporridge you can be a secularist and still believe in god or the gods (depending on your religion).

No I am not suggesting they act in loco parentis nor proposing a nanny state.

I am suggesting that whilst their parents are working 40 hours a week that the local community engage young people's time away from criminal activity. Beef up the Youth Service for example. Army cadets. Youth clubs. Mentorship. The old saying, "it takes a village to raise a child". Do you vote Conservative by any chance?

The statement “God is a lie” is evidence that the attack wasn’t “mindless” vandalism.

That, coupled with the rest, is targeted hate for Christians.

It makes them discourteous and unpleasant, though.

So what do you suggest? Mass arrests of locals who ticked the ‘no belief’ box on the census?

Didn’t they just

Well that's not a very "Christian" attitude is it?

We’ve had the “silently praying” crowd outside our local maternity hospital all lent. It’s not a silent prayer it’s deliberate intimidation.

Yes, ours too. Even my mother, 79, who couldn’t be more of a devout Catholic, thinks it’s deeply unpleasant and yes, a deliberate attempt to intimidate.

Also nanny state? I thought you anti abortion lot were all about supporting vulnerable women to raise their kids? The silently praying lady outside our local maternity has a sign that says “pregnant? We can support you.” Maybe if you do approach her it, she flips it over to say “get stuffed you are on your own.”

The church in question is in my town and is where my daughter goes to playgroup with her friends. It’s a very disrespectful act of vandalism and awful right before someone’s wedding as is sadly the case.

However I would echo what pp have said — it is most likely kids, more especially given it is the holidays. It is nearby a few areas which are known for trouble.

The church are planning a clean up this weekend with local community, so that’s something at least.

Watching a thread about a despicable targeted physical attack on a Christian place of worship being hijacked into a “let’s criticise Christians“ thread.
Peak Mumsnet

There are dozens of activities available for teenagers and young people in the area and around it -

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g1076986-Activities-Leyland_Lancashire_England.html

https://theactivitypeople.co.uk/en/venues/adrenalin-activities/leyland-lancashire/oTown-21325

Leyland offers a variety of clubs for teenagers, including sports clubs like swimming, football, rugby, and athletics, as well as youth centers and community groups. The Zone in South Ribble offers a range of activities and support, and St. Andrew's Church has youth groups for teenagers.

Sports Clubs:
Swimming: Leyland Barracudas is a competitive swimming club.

Football: Fox Lane Sports Club offers junior football, and Leyland Pirates Football Club provides both recreational and competitive options.

Rugby: Leyland Warriors Rugby Club offers rugby league opportunities.

Athletics: Chorley Athletics and Triathlon Club is a nearby option.

Youth Centers and Community Groups:
The Zone in South Ribble: Offers a variety of activities and support.

St. Andrew's Church, Leyland: Youth groups for teenagers.

Leyland Playscheme (Official): Provides activities and support for young people, including trips.

Op come back! It was just getting interesting.

Christian people who want to help others, who want to use their faith to spread kindness, charity and community good feels are ok by me, as an ardent atheist. Christians who just want to label all bad stuff on the irreligious and faiths other than their own, who think they are under attack for silly reasons, who believe that public money shouldn't be used to help community relationships between different groups and engage the youth in giving back to that community, can get in the bin, quite frankly.

There’s a huge problem with antisocial behaviour and vandalism all over South Ribble at the moment and this is an example of it, rather than some coordinated secular or atheist attack. Maybe the Councillor can put pressure on for some meaningful police action in the area, but I’m doubtful as resources are stretched and PCSO patrols occasionally are all anywhere round here has seen so far.
Horrible for the Church in question and the community who use it, but it’s ‘just’ disengaged feral dickheads. They may well even attend the local faith schools.