New clergy group denounces divisiveness (to counter radical clerics)

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/politics-1/1142359151313970.xml&storylist=cleveland

3/14/2006, 12:54 p.m. ET
By JOHN McCARTHY
The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A new group founded by ministers and rabbis who feel drowned out by the religious right began a campaign on Tuesday to make sure other voices are heard in this year's elections.

We Believe Ohio, comprised of more than 100 clergy, promised to promote issues that can unite rather than polarize.

"We believe people of faith are meant to build bridges, not construct barriers," said the Rev. Tim Ahrens of the First Congregational Church in Columbus. "We will not allow the voice of religion to be co-opted by intolerant values."

The movement's start took place at a rally inside the sanctuary of the First AME Zion Church near downtown. About 350 clergy and members of their congregations listened to speakers present an alternative to the activism of conservative pastors aligned with the 2004 gay marriage ban that voters easily approved...

[Erika]

1. A religious culture war is also taking place

all over this country. At our state prayer breakfast, Jewish, Muslims, and non-fundamentalist religious leaders refused to show up because the main speaker (preacher) was a converted Christian whose mission is now to go out and convert all Muslims to Christianity.

They felt the speaker was intolerant so they boycotted the breakfast. The breakfast ended up being attended only by the religious right who rallied around the speaker when he said gays were an abomination.