On Thursday, members of Seaside Community Church in Torrance were stunned to see a banner – which read “Someday everyone will have the right to legally marry. Don’t give up hope!” – pulled down from their front lawn and slashed with a knife.

“We intended it as a positive affirmation,” said the Rev. Paul Lance, pastor of the 100-member church on Ocean Avenue. “We figured there were a lot of people in the Torrance area who are feeling bruised by the actions of their neighbors, and we wanted to give them a positive message.”

Lance said his congregation wanted to send a message that not all Christians are opposed to same-sex unions.

“We believe it will be legalized someday,” he said. “It’s only a matter of when.”

His congregation is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, one of the most liberal Christian denominations. In the summer of 2005, the national denomination endorsed a statement affirming the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry.

Lance said the vandals also destroyed a banner underneath the gay marriage message that read: “Wherever you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.”

Church officials didn’t report the crime to police; they just want the community to know that the church supports gay and lesbian couples.

The banner will be repaired and replaced soon, Lance said.

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