Islamophobia is everywhere, right? At least that’s what some activists would like you to believe.

The Hamas-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is still working hard to educate the public on the threat of ‘Islamophobia.’ CAIR warns its online followers of information they deem as ‘hateful’ to Muslims through its Islamophobia Watch, which lists individuals and groups. One victim of this type of blacklisting is Pastor Michael Harrington of Belmont Drive Missionary Baptist Church in Hood River, Oregon. Pastor Harrington placed a sign in front of his church which reads, “Wake up Christians. Allah is not our God. Muhammad not greater than Jesus.” While the other side says, “Only the Bible is God’s word. “Holy book.” Koran is just another book.””

Two local residents were particularly shocked by the messages on the sign. One individual named Eric Cohn was on a bike ride when he noticed the sign, “I literally had to stop and back up and make sure I saw what I saw and I was profoundly offended and upset by it[.]” Mayor Paul Blackburn of Hood River spoke against the sign by stating, “I am annoyed that in this political season there’s a solid case of ugly going on. I think it norms up this kind of behavior like ‘oh it’s okay to be a bigot now.'” If these people are so annoyed with this one sign how are they supposed to interact with people of different opinions and beliefs? This is especially concerning for Blackburn who is known as ‘mayor for all of us,’ in that he supposedly takes pride in community engagement and representing all of Hood River’s residents.

The church sign might have been provocative to some, especially those who are offended by exclusive truth claims, but calling the pastor a bigot because he doesn’t agree with your worldview is outright absurd. The opponents of this church would likely be just as outraged if the pastor displayed a verse that summarizes a central tenet of the Christian faith, when Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me…” Pastor Harrington says he does not mean any ill will towards Muslims but sees this greeter sign as a medium for expressing his religious convictions to the public: “It isn’t against any particular denomination. It’s just the fact that I have taught and will continue to teach that I have one God, one way of salvation, and one bible that’s holy[.]” Harrington even invites individuals who are troubled by the sign to stop over and “discuss the matter over coffee and doughnuts.”

Since CAIR views the sign as such a problem they should meet up with the pastor and discuss the issue. However, that would go against CAIR’s method of smearing anyone who isn’t sympathetic to Islam in hopes to silence the opposition. So much for dialogue.

Hypersensitivity is plaguing our postmodern culture to the degree of exclusive statements becoming labeled as hateful. Islamist groups like CAIR use this postmodern context as an opportunity to slowly curtail criticism of Islam to the point of having de facto blasphemy laws. Our freedom and liberties are too precious to relinquish. Stand up for free speech!