BROWARD MINISTER WITH TIES TO BUSHES SLANDERS ISLAM

The Reverand Dr. O'Neal Dozier is the activist minister of the Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach, and has ties to both President Bush and his brother, Governor Jeb Bush. Now, he has caused the state's chief executive to distance himself from remarks Dozier made during a radio programme in Miami Friday.

According to this story in today's Miami Herald, Dozier was appearing on The Steve Kane Radio Show to address efforts by he and others to block construction of an Islamic Center of South Florida in northwest Pompano Beach when he referred to Islam as a "cult". In addition, another member of the group with Dr. Dozier called building of the center, which would include a mosque, a threat to the community's safety because of the religion's "track record" of terrorism.

Speaking with the Herald, Dozier was asked to recap or clarify his remarks, and responded:

''The Islamic religion in my view is a cult...On the show I said that Islam is a dangerous religion.''

And last week, he told the Herald, ''We don't want our area to be a breeding ground for terrorists.''

Needless to say, the Bush Brothers distanced themselves from their friend's remarks. The White House referred a reporter to remarks the President made last week in condemning blanket criticisms of Islam, saying they ''do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans. Islam, as practiced by the vast majority of people, is a peaceful religion, a religion that respects others."

And Governor Bush's office in Tallahassee released a statement saying, ''Gov. Bush in no way shares Rev. Dozier's views on Islam...Florida's greatest strength is its diverse population, which is bolstered by the many faiths of our residents."

About the only thing the Rev. Dr. Dozier seems to be really concerned about is how his statements will affect his gubernatorial appointment to the Broward County Judicial Nominating Commission, which has resulted in some previous controversy. In the past, Dozier had asked the governor's appointments to Broward circuit and county courts if they were "God-fearing", and asked about their parental abilities.

It seems that the Rev. Dr. Dozier is as much a religious bigot than many of the racial bigots whom his elders protested against during the civil rights struggle. I can actually agree with the president's remarks that as practiced by the vast majority of followers of Islam, it is a peaceful religion. But just as there are those who would and do bastardize the Islamic faith to serve their own purposes, there are those who do the very same to Christianity and virtually every other religion. Maybe Dozier should spend less time playing politics and more time studying the Bible and the teachings of Jesus, who he claims to follow.