'Homosexuals must repent or go to hell' church sign causing controversy

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A church sign here is getting a lot of attention.

Whether driving or walking down Old Saint Augustine Road, there's no missing it.

The sign reads: "homosexuals must repent or go to hell."

The marquee sits in front of the First Conservative Baptist Church and now a petition requesting the church take the sign down is on Change.org.

Cate Dobbins, who lives two miles from the church, started the petition after becoming offended by the sign after driving by it a few times a week, according to a letter posted on the LGBT/JAX Community Directory on Facebook.

"I am not here to debate the truth or falsehood of the statement on your sign. I am here ... to tell you that I and many others believe your sign is un-Christian, and if you truly wish to live the ltter of your doctrinal statement you will take it down immediately," she wrote.

Evaristo Ghines, who lives across the street from the church, said he believes in freedom of speech, but the church message is a little strong.

“I was a little shocked, that they will deliver a message in that manner,” he said. “I'm a Christian and I believe that God loves everybody and if you feel that homosexuals should adhere to something that's not the way to do it. If the church wants to deliver a message and their goal is to save homosexuals then you would do it with kindness rather than blurt out a message telling them they're going straight to hell.”

The billboard is causing a stir on the Internet as well.

A petition demanding the church to take down the sign has more than 100 names on it.

Most people signing the petition disagree with the message on the sign, saying that it is judgmental.

Action News went to the church office Saturday to talk to the pastor.

He told Action News that he didn't want to talk Saturday and to come back Monday. Then he told the television crew to get off the property.