Was Beverly Church Right to Remove 'Black Lives Matter' From Sign?

A Beverly church received a barrage of online threats and criticism after using the “Black Lives Matter” slogan on its sign.

“The ’Black Lives Matter’ statement on our sign is part of a series of different statements meant to engage the world and invite thoughtful, considered and compassionate conversation,” the church posted Monday on its Facebook page. “We appreciate the conversation started here and hope that everyone who engages will listen to the many perspectives, reflect prayerfully on what it means to communicate within this space and talk with others about this important moment.”

»RELATED: Check Out the Beverly Unitarian Church’s Facebook Page to Read the Reaction

But the backlash the church received for aligning itself with the ”Black Lives Matter” movement was quick and filled with violent and racist overtones. Many of the remarks claimed ”Black Lives Matter” was an anti-white, anti-law enforcement terrorist group and accused the church of using the “race card.”

The vitriol became so bad that the church posted a thank you to police for taking ”some of the more threatening comments posted on this page seriously.”

Eventually, the church removed “Black Lives Matter” from its sign and backed away from its support. The following message was posted late Tuesday on the Beverly Unitarian Church Facebook page:

“Since this posting we have been made aware that there is a movement associated with these words that has been accused of being anti-white, anti-police, and a terrorist group. We are being educated and are looking at this other side of this. It seems that many in our neighborhood believe these accusations, and have been offended and personally hurt by our posted words: message have been left; people have approached us on the street; Facebook is brimming with many contradicting thoughts and feelings. A message left on our answering machine, asking us to think about how these words make a police officer feel, gave us the most pause.

“We had no intention of aligning ourselves to a specific organization that is maligning people who offer us security – AND we still believe the premise of this statement.”

YOUR TURN: Should the Beverly Unitarian Church taken down “Black Lives Matter” from its sign? What do you think of some of the comments left by members of the church’s congregation and the public? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.

(H/T to Jet magazine)