The Dove Outreach Center of Gainsville, Florida, instructed its followers to wear T-shirts that read “Islam is of the Devil.” Yes, you read right. The group that seeks to alienate us poor Satanists through an offensive and even violent medium is called the Dove Outreach Center.
This “Church” has no doubt achieved one of its aims, that is, publicity, after a number of schoolchildren were sent home for wearing the shirts and the issue began to get the attention of the press.
For one can only assume that this is a ploy to get attention, under the understanding that any publicity is good publicity. If this is the case, then this “Church” is the George Bush of religious communities. Before the Center does a little victory dance (or sacrifices a Muslim in their nearest volcano), this is not a compliment. Let me explain the analogy. Although, on a global scale, Bush may have a few followers and definitely has a lot of exposure, nobody with half a brain takes him seriously. All I’m saying is that George Bush, at least here in the UK is widely considered to be the biggest tool since the hammer was invented.
The Center claims that one of its aims is to change people in order to get them to “Stop being passive and selfish.” Right, because it’s really selfless to try and promote yourself and your personal ideology at the expense of another group of people.
There is a difference between being active and being controversial. The t-shirts have not informed anyone about why they believe Islam is a “violent and oppressive religion.” The only people that this “Church” may attract are dim-witted persons. Who would believe a statement made with no proof?
One wearer of the infamous t-shirts, Emily Sapp said “I’ve met Muslim children, but I don’t actually have any contact with them at the moment,” adding that “I don’t know why that is.” Take a guess, Sherlock.
This whole situation is a vicious cycle. It’s a game of Chinese Whispers that has been passed down from one person to the next, and nobody really has anything of any substance to say. Everyone is reporting back what they have heard from someone else, probably Fox News.
The problem is not that I think we should silence people who disagree with us, but that dialogue should be adopted. These T-shirts serve one role: to publicly cause offense. They offer neither dialogue nor understanding. Nor do they seek to proposed reasons for supporting the church in question. They most definitely do not offer the “outreach” that the Center promises.
The Dove Outreach Center also hosts a delightful sign that reads the same charming message.
Senior “Pastor” Terry Jones said that he believes that it is “within our constitutional rights because … according to our teachings in America, we are still considered a Christian nation.”
Since when did being Christian in America make you above the law? It makes you wonder which version of the Bible they are reading at the Dove World Outreach Center.
Jones added that “What we are propagating … are actual Christian beliefs.” He also claims that any Christians that do not believe that Islam is evil are not, in fact, Christians. So not only does he insult Muslims, but also Christians. As well as anyone who is slightly insightful or thoughtful. Never mind, this Satanist observes that maybe he’ll help convert a few Christians to the religion of the Devil.
The Outreach Center argues that “the truth should never offend us.” Please don’t take offense then, but you remind most sane people of the Taliban and have no knowledge of the basic rules of persuasion.
The sign and the t-shirts are ruthless, shameless advertisements that hold little morality.
Emily Sapp, when asked about the followers of Islam said that “the people are people. They can be saved like anyone else.” I don’t know the way it works over there, but where I’m from, calling God-fearing people Satanists is not the way to save them, even if they were lost. It also lacks class.
-Agencies