Pro-LGBT pilgrim church vandalized with hateful messages -- again

A Minnesota church that supports LGBT rights has been targeted by vandals yet again, according to local media reports.

Members of the Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Maple Grove arrived for Sunday services to find their church had been vandalized with graffiti that read, "Gay Pride? NO! Shameful Sodomites!" The church was also egged and handcuffs were locked on the front door.

“We are investigating this crime as a bias motivated crime. A hate crime is not necessarily a word we use in law enforcement, but we are investigating this as a bias motivated crime,” Maple Grove Police Captain Keith Terlinden told CBS Minnesota.

The church was previously vandalized in early June, when someone wrote "church of Sodom and Gomorrah" on the building.

The Pilgrim United Church of Christ emphasizes love and unity as the core teaching of Jesus, which it represents in its motto, "That they may all be one (John 17:21)." The United Church of Christ in Maple Grove, like many others, has publicly supported same-sex marriage.

Minnesota became the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage earlier this year. The United Church of Christ in Maple Grove said it plans to perform wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples once the law takes effect on August 1.

Watch video, courtesy of CBS Minnesota, below:

["Hooded Man With A Spray Can Painting Graffiti" on Shutterstock]