Christian minister continues to preach hate

POMPANO MINISTER WINS FANS AMONG FUNDAMENTALISTS, BUT LOSES SUPPORT IN GOP - TOPGregory Lewis, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 7/17/06
http://www.sunsentinel.com/news/local/broward/sflcdozier17jul17,0,873009.story When the Rev. O'Neal Dozier called Islam "a cult" and derided Muslims as "terrorists," he damaged his relationship with Gov. Jeb Bush, whose office urged Dozier to resign from the Broward County Judicial Nominating Commission.Dozier's comments also likely tarnished his image among high-level Republican politicians who in recent years increasingly sought his blessing to sway black voters from their historic allegiance to the Democratic Party.To some Republicans, Dozier's political future is in jeopardy. Others say he has sealed his credentials as a strong Christian leader whom Republican officials must continue courting.But one thing is clear: Dozier is now a polarizing figure."I tolerated him because the Republican Party, I guess, was looking to garner the black vote," said Jack Majeske, president of the Broward Log Cabin Republican Club. "But this guy was homophobic and I figured him to be a racist a long time ago. He, as far as I was concerned, was way off the wall for a man of the cloth." (MORE)SEE ALSO:
FL: RHETORIC INCITES FEAR AND ANGER IN COMMUNITY - TOPGail Price-Wise, Sun-Sentinel, 7/17/06
http://www.sunsentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl39forum17jul17,0,2802083.story
Sticks and stones can break my bones but names can never harm me.The Rev. O'Neal Dozier should consider that words can in fact be harmful. By calling Islam a "cult" religion and mentioning terrorism, he incites fear and anger in the hearts of both Muslims and non-Muslims.The Muslim community -- made up of mothers, fathers, and children, students, intellectuals, doctors, engineers, business owners, and laborers -- hear the "T" word and wonder what will happen to them. Will I lose my job? Will I be forced to leave this neighborhood? Will my children be ridiculed in school? Will I or any of my loved ones be attacked?These fears are not unfounded. Words like those used by Dozier have been known to incite hate crimes. In the past two years, there has been an increase in threatening phone calls and vandalism perpetrated against Islamic centers in South Florida. (MORE)