May 14, 1995

BYLINE: LEE MORIWAKI

Organizers of the Interfaith Alliance of Washington State, which begins its membership drive May 22, say pluralism is one of the cornerstones of U.S. society.

"We don't want to demonize any other group or say anything about them that is disrespectful, but when a group comes out and challenges the religious plurality of our entire community, then, yes, we will take a stand and we will point fingers and name names," said the Rev. Rick Morse, pastor of Lake Washington Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kirkland and a member of the Alliance's steering committee.

The national Interfaith Alliance, which was established in July 1994 and is based in Washington, D.C., already has characterized the Christian Coalition and the Oregon Citizens Alliance, among other organizations, as "radical, right-wing extremists."

Morse said the state Alliance was using more moderate language for the sake of civil discourse here. But he added he wished the Christian Coalition would change its name to "a Christian Coalition."

"I think we need to recognize the fact that there is no single Christian position on many of these issues that face us as a people today," he said.

David Welch, executive director of the state Christian Coalition, said he welcomed groups such as the Interfaith Alliance.

The Christian Coalition organized to have a voice in the public debate, said Welch. If the Alliance has "the capability of matching our numbers and effectiveness, then that is the American way," he said.

But he said it was "unfortunate" the national Interfaith Alliance would "resort to inflammatory language and the typical liberal attacks using language like hate and intolerance."

Local representatives of the Interfaith Alliance said some conservative Christians have established litmus tests on abortion, gay rights and other public issues.

"For me, to be told that in order to be a good American I have to be a good Christian, that really makes a shiver run up and down my spine," said the Rev. Barbara Wells, pastor of the Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church.

David Serkin-Poole, the cantor, or prayer leader, for Temple B'nai Torah on Mercer Island, said he also shudders when he hears people talking of the United States as a Christian country.

"Wait a second, this is my country, too," said Serkin-Poole, another organizer of the Alliance. Muslims, Buddhists and people of faith who have no specific religious affiliation are all part of the Alliance, which has a beginning mailing list of about 200 people.

Welch, the Christian Coalition's state director, said his group doesn't quite describe the United States as a Christian nation and has never claimed to be the only voice in the religious community. What it says is that the government, its policies and the public consciousness are based on Judeo-Christian principles, he said.

The Coalition will be proposing this week a "Contract with the American Family," Welch said. It will include recommendations for tax relief for families, tax credits for adoptions, elimination of taxpayer-funded abortions and educational choice through vouchers, he said. There are also reports the contract will include a proposal for a voluntary moment of silence in schools.

"Frankly," Welch said, " . . . the values we stand for are mainstream America."

"We would publicly challenge any candidates or organizations that claim explicitly or implicitly to speak for all people of faith," said Wells, the Unitarian Universalist minister.

Wells said the Alliance plans to establish "quick response teams" to attend public meetings to ensure officials know there is a diversity of religious opinion on an issue, not just a particular "Christian" viewpoint.

Like the Christian Coalition, the Interfaith Alliance of Washington State will be organizing at the grassroots level. Its opening meeting will be from 7 to 9 p.m. May 22, at First United Methodist Church of Bellevue, 1934 108th Ave. N.E.

Joan Brown Campbell, general secretary of the National Council of Churches, will speak on "Saying No to Intolerance in the Public Debate." The Alliance can be reached by calling 654-3468.

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