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WRAL – May 11, 2007
Church's sign against Islam sparks controversy
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…
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1407899/
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