Dove World Outreach Center Details

New York (GaeaTimes.com) - Dove World Outreach Center is a non-denominational charismatic Christian Church located in Gainesville, Florida. It was formerly known for participating in charitable activities. But later on it was censored for its displays of anti-islam and anti-LGBT messages.

In 2009, Dove World posted a sign on its lawn which stated in large red letters “Islam is of the Devil”. CAIR and local activists protested it severely by picketing the church’s front side-walk. It also protested some famous verses of Koran like “Sword Verse” in distorted manner. The church also started sending their children to school with t-shirts which highlighted the Christianity and under estimated the Islam religion.

In July 2010, the church announced that it would hold an “International Burn Koran Day”, in which the church members would be seen burning the Korans, on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The initial announcement gained notoriety by religious organizations. The church people were advised to put a stop in their endeavour by several associations who were afraid of the threats, posted to the Al-Falluja jihadist web forum, to “spill rivers of your(Americans) blood” and “a war that likes of which you have never seen before”.

The church’s actions are also compared with those of Nazi Germany and Roman Catholic Church in Middle Ages which engaged in taking stern actions against persons and works which did not conform to their ideologies.

According to the New York Times, Terry Jones, the pastor of the center in Gainesville, Florida, is receiving death threats regularly after the event was announced. The church has been strongly criticized worldwide. The Bank, where the church has a $140,000 mortgage loan, has demanded immediate repayment of the balance and Jones’ property insurance has also been cancelled. The Gainesville fire department, fearing the fire hazards, refused to grant the church a burning permit.

General David Petraeus condemned the announcement severely by saying that it is a kind of action which the Talibans are known to do. Moreover, a large part of the world is crowded with Muslim population. So, it would create a large impact on them undoubtedly. But the Pastor has counter-asserted that though the General’s concerns are legitimate, it is insensible to be controlled and dominated by the threats of Muslims.