Tolerance sets the tone at services

Liberal clergy members of different faiths held prayer services in eight Washington cities Thursday morning in support of the state's gay rights law, thanking God for creating and loving all persons "just as we are."

The interfaith gatherings, similar to one held a week earlier in Seattle, are part of the liberal churches' battle against Referendum 65, an attempt by conservative Christians and others to overturn the law.

"Toleration is a universal religious value, which lies at the heart of all our religious traditions," said Timothy O'Brien, a Buddhist and executive director of the Northwest Dharma Association.

He spoke during a service at Newport Presbyterian Church in Bellevue. Other services took place Thursday in Seattle, Everett, Tacoma, Bellingham, Olympia, Vancouver and Spokane.

Muslim chaplain Nayer Taheri challenged traditional religious leaders who have "closed their eyes to the beauty of all people," including gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered and "intersex" individuals.

In a statement, Gov. Christine Gregoire said Thursday that members of Washington's sexually diverse community "greatly contribute to our state's rich diversity."

More than 500 clergy members and lay people, mostly from liberal denominations, have signed a statement supporting the gay rights law and criticizing Referendum 65.

The referendum would give voters the option of voting down the measure, which adds "sexual orientation" to the state law banning discrimination in housing, employment, insurance and credit.

The statement said the coalition deplored the "betrayal by religious leaders of the tolerance and respect in which all the world's great religions base their truths. ... Discrimination is discrimination. Period."

The criticism was aimed at Sound the Alarm, a group of pastors and business people who say its purpose is to humbly come before God in prayer, and to "live and stand for biblical righteousness."

Sound the Alarm is calling for a "Referendum Sunday" on May 21 in every Washington church to gather signatures. More than 100,000 valid signatures must be filed by June 7 to place the referendum on the November ballot.

The Rev. Alec Rowlands of Westgate Chapel in Edmonds, head of Sound the Alarm, said he was deeply concerned with apathy in the Christian church, even more so than with the issue of same-sex marriage.

"If the church doesn't act now, then when?" he asked in an open letter to pastors. "If this isn't the issue to rally us to prayer, what will it take?"

ON THE WEB

The Religious Coalition for Equality, an interfaith group, supports Washington's gay rights law and opposes efforts to overturn it. Information: www.religiouscoalition-wa.org

Sound the Alarm, a Christian group, calls for pastors and church members to live for "biblical righteousness." The group supports Referendum 65. Information: www.soundthealarm.com

Let the Voters Decide is a campaign in support of Referendum 65, which would give voters the option of voting down the state's gay rights law. Information: www.LetTheVotersDecide.net

P-I reporter John Iwasaki can be reached at 206-448-8096 or johniwasaki@seattlepi.com.

Add P-I Local headlines to