Spring Hope, N.C. — Words like "bomb" and "die" draw attention to the small sign in front of Good News Independent Baptist Church.
Rev. Gary Murrell put up the sign, which on one side claims the message of Islam is "submit, convert or die."
The other side reads: "When is the last time you heard of a Jew or Christian with a bomb strapped to their body?"
Despite some in the Islamic community who claim the sign is offensive, Murrell says it is not a hate sign.
"It was not put up there with the purpose of showing that we hate those people," he said. "It's not the people, it's the religion."
Murrell says it is a violent religion compared to Christianity. But not everyone agrees.
"I would really say that the actions of one individual really do not represent the Islamic faith," said Debbie Jaunich, with the Islamic Center of Raleigh. "The Islamic faith really calls for peace."
"It's sad to see that we still have this kind of ignorance in the community about the Islamic faith," she added.
Murrell says he is trying to make people think but Jaunich said she thinks it breeds discrimination and bigotry.
"The point is that their salvation is in Jesus Christ, not in the Islamic faith," Murrell said. "I am not trying to be a bigot. I'm not. I don't hate those people."
Murrell says the sign has been up for about a week and that he plans to change it this weekend.
But discussion about the message will likely continue. The Islamic Center of Raleigh is inviting Murrell and his congregation for a visit to learn more about Islam.
Church's Sign Against Islam Sparks Controversy
- Reporter: Mike Charbonneau
- Web Editor: Kelly Gardner
RELATED TOPICS: Raleigh
Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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May 13, 2007 6:04 p.m.
May 13, 2007 4:19 p.m.
May 13, 2007 4:08 p.m.
May 13, 2007 3:50 p.m.
1 Jn 2:22 Who is the liar but the person who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the antichrist: the person who denies the Father and the Son.
Qur'an 5:73 "They are surely disbelievers who blaspheme and say: ‘God is one of three in the Trinity for there is no Ilah (God) except One, Allah. If they desist not from saying this (blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall them - the disbelievers will suffer a painful doom." Qur'an 4.171 "O people of the Book (Christians), do not be fanatical in your faith, and say nothing but the truth about Allah. The Messiah who is Isa (Jesus), son of Mariam, was only a messenger of Allah, nothing more. He bestowed His Word on Mariam and His Spirit. So believe in Allah and say not Trinity for Allah is one Ilah (God)...far be it from His Glory to beget a son."
May 13, 2007 3:29 p.m.