Some of you are missing the point. A fire was set and destroyed a building that someone owned. He worked on it until he ran out of $$, and was forced to a nursing home. Would you all feel the same if the kids had burned down a house where people lined, rather than a building that someone had hoped to turn into his dream house....but failed? It was the “act” that should be addressed, not the “what” that was burned.

Why is this turning into a church group when the facts are of the boys and there unsupported families? Yes there is alot of history in Concrete. To have 3 pre teen boys that run wild and trespass into a building that is not theres and set it on fire what ever the reasonings were or what there were thinking is still wrong, the boys need to be puninshed for this as once a pyro always a pyro. you get the taste of it and no punishment and they will do it again. I am glad no one was hurt but the whole town was hurt by the devastion of the lost historical building and the history of it.

I have to say, this exchange is one of the most thoughtful back-and-forths I’ve seen on this site. The comments that follow most stories tend to spiral downward into the inane. Leave it to the upriver folks to have some common sense! :-)

Well, annon, what proof do you have that all three of those boys “run wild”?  Remember, proof is not synonymous with rumor.  Furthermore, they did not set the building on fire, they lit an abandoned mattress inside the building and thought they had put it out.  Now, I believe that their actions were foolish that they need to be punished accordingly.  But your claim that they are “pyros” is ridiculous.

First of all, pyromania is a diagnosis that is made by a psychiatrist.  Since there is no history of them behaving this way previously, it’s doubtful they are actual pyromaniacs.  And as far as your statement that once “you get the taste of it...”, exactly when did you get your medical degree and start practicing as a licensed psychiatrist?

hey annon…
just for correction...my name is c-raUch...not raNch...but that’s totally cool...i’m kinda used to common mispelling with my last name…

anyway...youth dynamics is a youth group of sorts here in concrete and along with other communities in the pacific northwest, for high school kids.  we have a small group of volunteer staff members who have been involved with yd since they were members themselves.  i don’t think we are looking for more volunteers at the moment, but if you go to http://www.yd.org/communities/concrete to learn more.

and as for everyone’s arguing:
i think it’s safe to say that we all need to agree to disagree.  arguing about everything isn’t going to change the circumstances here.  i have been trying to keep from getting into this mess, but i have to say when you sit here and bash churches other than your own, you’re being truly childish.  you talk about people in my church (i attend AOG) being self-righteous...but when you put your church up on a pedistal like you did...you are being self-righteous… i have raised guide dog puppies for blind and handicapped individuals for years...i’ve given time and money up for FREE just to help someone else...i am also a member of AOG...i guess i’m pretty self-righteous right?  my suggestion to you all...(especially to livinupriver) watch what you say thanks

Ahem...I don’t go to the Presbyterian Church in Concrete.

Yes, I know several of your members at the AOG. The fact is that a number of them are not only a poor advertisement for your church but also for the Lord Jesus Christ. Maybe you you are unable to look at your church’s membership objectively. 

As I said previously, believers are to be known by their fruit and by their love. Truthfully, I see bad fruit and lack of love from both your church and the CBC - the two churches in town that *should* be setting the proper Christian standard for the town of Concrete, but don’t. One thing in your church’s favor, however, is your pastor and his family - they are wonderful, loving people who live above reproach.

(And yes, you do seem pretty darn self-righteous in your post above)

Not to be rude but when did this site get redirected to a church site? I hope everyone can just except the fact the boys did wrong and will someday be punished to the lords standards on what they did. I hope the kids’ have really learned a big lesson. Thank you C-rauch for the helpful tip. sorry about the misspelling.

This site may not be a “church site”, but there is no prohibition here against talking about church or religion, annon.  Moreover, since this is an unmoderated forum, and I strongly doubt that you are the web-police for the Skagit Valley Herald, maybe you should just ignore posts and topics about church and Christianity that obviously disturb you so much.

Pardon me, did Ms Sassy accuse me of having an affair with someone?  Honestly, you all!! If those boys aren’t screwed up yet they WILL BE having to live out their teenage years with all this meanness, rumor-mongering and ignorance directed at them. “Once a pyro always a pyro.” Really? That’s the dumbest thing I have ever heard. “Will some day be punished to the Lord’s standard...”? Annon, you are already assuming these boys are going to hell and aren’t under the forgiveness of Christ, nor ever will be...Shame on you, shame on you, shame on you!!!!!!

kerri what ever!! Its nice to have someone else put words in your mouth, I for one never said they were going to hell. I said only someday they will get the punishment they deserve and only the lord and themselves will find the right punishment. If you want help for an issue like this then they will seek it and better themselves and I hope they have learned the big lesson that it is not ok to do wrong. The truth lies in the fact that you only learn from your mistakes and I hope they have. I feel bad for them and there families but they need to have there punishment as it comes and move on.

Wow, I’m impressed at the campaign to turn this molehill into Mt. Everest, but I’m glad to see folks here who understand that whole “kids will be kids” deal.  I mean, should the kids be punished?  Yeah.  Should their parents be more diligent in the future?  Yeah.  Does any of this warrant the amount of zealous justice-seeking I’m seeing from some posters here?

...

As for the natural flow of the conversation from one topic to another, don’t let it get to you, annon.  No one said you had to join in THAT conversation.  You can still bring up whatever points you want.  I’m glad to see there are still reasonable people here.  :)

And as for this “My church is better than your church” stuff, please stop.  And stop with the defensiveness when a general statement is made about your church or denomination.  I think everyone here understands that there are exceptions to every rule, and that anytime you group a lot of people together you’re gonna have some jerks in there.  I mean, please grow up and show a little dignity along with that faith of yours.  Sound fair? :)

Well, *shrug* - Kerri asked what a good church to go to in Concrete was - I was merely giving brief synopses of my impressions of each.  While my impressions of each of the congregations may have been personally biased, I still believe them to be accurate.  If someone else asked me the same question here again, I would answer identically.  Regardless, the recipient of the information has the right to accept or reject my comments and as far as I can see, she chose to accept them.

I do find it interesting that so many have gotten their knickers in a twist over the whole thing, but have yet to provide any different information or church recommendations for Kerri.

LivinUpriver, sorry if I gave the wrong impression, I actually thought your posts were AWESOME.  Seriously.  I like your outlook on the church thing, and this fire business as well.  You keep doing your thing, it’s good to have you here.  :)

Here’s my recommendation for Kerri: if you really need to find a church, DEFINITELY check out what kind of people attend, because if you’re going to spend any amount of time with a group of people like that, you’re gonna want to like the majority of them.  Trust me on that.  But if you CAN manage it, go without.  Better yet, join an organization that helps the community before it helps itself.  But that’s just the advice of a somewhat bitter agnostic.  :)

Okay *shrug*, I guess I didn’t completely understand what you were driving at.  Thanks for the clarification.  I’ve enjoyed your posts in the past and I’m glad to see you weighing in on this one, too.

I think these boys made a bad choice, and now they will have a consequence.
You all know how kids are, some dont think before they act.
I think some of these people who are commenting are too quick to judge.
Gossip, Gossip....
I bet these boys have learned their lesson. They dont deserve to be beat or anything. Maybe they should have someone talk to them about fire and matches…

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