Antigay Church Sign Smashed in North Carolina

Police in Wilmington, N.C., are seeking a man who smashed a church sign that condemned gay people for living a "perverted lifestyle" and warned them to "turn or burn."

WECT reports on the sign at Sea Gate Community Chapel, which had become a flashpoint for vandalism from opponents and supporters of the church prior to the damage on Sunday afternoon. Wilmington Pride protested the sign Sunday morning because of its message, which said, "God loves gays but he hates a perverted lifestyle," with the warning to "turn or burn."

"Witnesses tell police a tall man took a hammer to the sign before leaving in a silver Ford Taurus," reports WECT. "The car is reported to have bumper damage and a missing hubcap from the front left tire."

Anna Benson, who made the sign, told the news station that it is not meant to offend anyone. Pastor David Heuring supports her and the sign because, he said, it is based on biblical truth.

"I love the gays," said Benson. "I love everybody."

The heated exchanges over the sign precede discussion of a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage and comparable unions in North Carolina. State lawmakers will meet in the coming weeks to consider the proposal, which would require a vote by the public.