2 men protest rebuilding of statue

Associated Press

MONROE, Ohio

Police say two men protested at a southwest Ohio church that plans to rebuild a statue of Jesus Christ that was destroyed by lightning.

Monroe police Lt. Brian Curlis said Thursday that one of the men told police they were at the church’s Wednesday night service to publicly protest “the worship of a graven image” and were escorted out by church staff.

Police say church co- pastor Lawrence Bishop said he asked church security guards to remove the two men because they were disrupting the sermon.

Curlis says no charges were filed.

A lightning strike Monday sparked a fire that burned down the 62-foot plastic foam and fiberglass statue nicknamed “Touchdown Jesus” because of the way the arms were raised.

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