They are being protested by people in the community.
"One North Central Florida neighborhood is in an uproar over a sign that's posted along the street. They say it's a sign of hate."
Crowd gathers in protest in front of churchResidents carried their own signs Wednesday evening calling for "peace not hate" in response to a northwest Gainesville church that recently posted a sign with an anti-Islamic message.
At least 80 people gathered on both sides of Northwest 37th Street in front of the Dove World Outreach Center for a prayer vigil organized after the church recently erected a sign proclaiming "Islam is of the devil."
Participants held up their signs and listened to words from Eve MacMaster, pastor of the Emmanuel Mennonite Church, and Saeed R. Kahn, president of the Muslim Association of North Central Florida. The group maintained its vigil for at least an hour as members at the church gathered for a 7 p.m. service.
After learning about the church's red-lettered sign, MacMaster used e-mail to let others in the community know about the vigil.
"We're here to stand in solidarity with our Muslim neighbors," MacMaster said. The purpose of the vigil, she said, was express the goodwill of most citizens and religious people toward Muslims and to "pray for the cleansing of the community."
That is great to see them protesting that sign. The pastor sounds so full of hate and won't take the sign down.
Ybor City Stogie has a video up from CNN
The pastor is going to put out signs on abortion and same-sex marriage.
I found this post at a blog. The women who posted it approves of the sign, but it was good to see some of the others calling her posts dangerous.
Talk Gainesville MomsHere is one of the comments criticizing the poster.
"Wow, I'm not really sure how to respond to this. I am offended. I am outraged. I am very uncomfortable with the message that you're sending on this forum. This IS a message of hate, and I am saddened by this act in what I generally consider to be a very tolerant town. I know that you will not likely reconsider your opinions on this matter, but I hope that others will not accept the intolerance for others that you show here."
More from the comments.
....."Now - I will give you some truth - so hold on to yourself and try not to be offended. I'm taking up your challenge to be bold and speak the truth.
You have not been a member of our online community. You joined two days ago in order to spread your hate. I do not like that you joined our friendly and supportive forum to spew your hateful message. Go away. This forum is not the place for this. Take it somewhere else. Find the proper place for it. It is not here. Stop trying to hijack our forum.
To all members: Sorry if this is too harsh. I've never posted a negative message before. But I just am so offended that someone would sign up for our community just to pursue this agenda.
A relief to see these. Another:
I am Sickened by this posting and the sign.
I agree with the other *members posts and Jensen thank you, in no way am I, as a member appauled at what you have said, I applaud it.
As a Christian, you are to be like Jesus, Jesus would never instill fear into a community like this. If your church really wanted to open communication with other religions why didn't your pastor just visit those other places and invite those others to your facility? Was it really necessary to voice out something so hateful? From my studies it doesn't sound like your preacher has any knowledge of Islam, he is only telling you what is made to be stereotypical and wrong.
Your church is wrong in what it did and what it is doing to our community.
May God Bless you Amy and I hope God reveals to you a kinder way to spread your message.
Good for those commenters.
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