Florida Minister Opposes Mosque But Embraces Moderate Muslims
by Ed Thomas
October 17, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A controversial Florida pastor who received national publicity for his criticism against the Islamic faith says he is trying to develop a strategy for opposing those who practice radical Islam while cooperating with those who attempt to practice it as a peaceful religion. At the same time, however, Dr. O'Neal Dozier continues his efforts to block construction of a new mosque in a low-income area of his church's hometown. Dozier, pastor of Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach, Florida, lost two civic appointments this year. The appointments were given him by prominent Florida politicians Governor Jeb Bush and Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist. Their revocation was precipitated by Dozier's statements denouncing Islam as a cult and his church's handing out of witnessing tracts on the dangers of that religion.
After these events, the media and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) sought and obtained the Florida minister's dismissal from his appointments, despite his having drummed up major grassroots support for both politicians. However, he is not bitter, and says it is important to keep what happened in perspective.
"I think all of us Christians need to know that these guys are all politicians," Dozier observes. "These guys are only concerned about one major thing, and that is winning an office," he says, "and we need to always keep that in mind."
Although hurt by media criticism and politicians' decision to distance themselves from him, the Pastor of Worldwide Christian Center says he urges his congregation to remember their faith and values when deciding whom to support. Dozier says this is necessary because politicians are likely to let Christians down by choosing to protect their political fortunes rather than stand for what is right.
"The thing that I tell all of our members is not to back the person who is running for the office, but to back what the person stands for," the Florida clergyman notes. "If the person stands for godly principles," he adds, "then back that."
Currently, Dozier is fighting his city council's approval of a zoning exception for a new mosque in an area that had been slated for low-income housing. But in the meantime, he says he has still been led in prayer to offer to work with moderate and peaceful Muslims to condemn terror.
Ed Thomas, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
