The police are investigating a possible arson after a church in Mississipi burned down this week. A message found at the scene read "bet you stay home now," leading investigators to believe the fire was intentional.

According to detectives who responded at the scene, they found a spray-painted message on the ground near the church's doors after the blaze had been put out on early Wednesday. The message was allegedly signed with the letter "A" - a symbol often associated with atheist groups.

The police also found a can of white spray paint and flashlight at the crime scene. Federal government agencies were called in to collaborate with the Sherrif's Department in investigating the incident.

Free Speech

The First Pentecostal Church had previously sued the city of Holly Springs after claiming the strict shelter-in-place orders violated the church's right to free speech. They also argued the restrictions made it difficult for the members to worship.

According to the lawsuit, local police officers disrupted a "peaceful Bible Study" and forced it to stop "on the threat of criminal citations." The church claimed the attendees were observing social distancing guidelines and were complying with health requirements.

The First Pentecostal Church also called for "relief from an unconstitutional order" after law enforcement authorities interrupted an Easter Sunday worship and issued a citation to Pastor Jerry Waldrop for violating COVID-19 restrictions.

Judge Michael P. Mills addressed the suit, claiming the members staged a protest at a local Walmart to demonstrate their frustration with the executive orders. The protest was captured on video.

"This court considers the visit depicted in the video to have been highly reckless in light of the ongoing pandemic," Mills said.

Nick Fish, the American Atheists, denounced their association to the church burning. In a statement, he called it a heinous act of destruction and claimed it was against the values their community believes.

Worship Services

The First Pentecostal Church was granted an injunction to hold in-person gatherings a few days after the building burned to the ground.

In April, U.S. District Judge Mills allowed the Mississipi house of worship to hold drive-thru services following the Easter Sunday Mass. However, Senior Counsel Stephen Crampton, who represented the church in court, urged the judges to grant them the right to hold in-person gatherings.

The U.S Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted the order, earning a scathing remark from Judge Don Willet who claimed the city used the act of arson to render their case void.

"One might expect a city to express sympathy or outrage (or both) when a neighborhood house of worship is set ablaze," Willett wrote. "One would be mistaken. Rather than condemn the crime's depravity, the City seized the advantage, insisting that the Church's First Amendment claim necessarily went up in smoke when the church did... This argument is shameful."

On the other hand, Crampton thanked the Fifth Circuit for "restoring the right to worship in person" and for honoring the country's First Amendment rights.

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