“None of anyone who attends Patriots for Christ, and not myself, condone any kind of violence against anybody for their personal stances or beliefs,” Saul said. “As Christians, we are supposed to preach and proclaim the Gospel, and it’s up to them to accept or reject the Gospel. We don’t force it on anybody.”

Prior to the vandalism, Schwartz had criticized the Republican supervisor candidates —- John Dodge, Chad Folken and Terry Scheffert —- for “remaining silent” as the Facebook battle waged. He also noted Saul donated to Dodge’s campaign.

Dodge said he chooses to avoid engaging in online bickering, adding someone making a donation to his campaign does not speak for him.

“Social media can be a tool for instigation and not a medium for polite discourse of opinions,” Dodge said. “When I have been heckled online I have chosen to not engage as it benefits no one.”

Scheffert said Schwartz was “out of line” for dragging him into the debate and attacking him “on my beliefs or what he thinks my beliefs are.” Scheffert said he hasn’t said anything about PrideFest.

Folken said he found it “troubling that Chris Schwartz is attacking a local religious group for expressing their First Amendment right to free speech” in the Facebook posts.