Churches using pulpit to preach positions on Prop 64

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The discussion on the city's proposed gay rights ordinance continued Wednesday as church leaders preach their points from the pulpit.

Opponents and supporters are also using e-mails and radio appearances to sway support.

The Rev. Jerry Prevo with the Anchorage Baptist Temple sent an e-mail to his congregation canceling Wednesday night's church services to encourage people to attend a special Anchorage Assembly meeting.

"It's a threat to religious freedom here in the City of Anchorage," Prevo said. "It is reproving a life style that is not acceptable."

In the e-mail Prevo wrote, "It is diseased and deviant. Homosexuals are trying to force us to approve their lifestyle."

He says if the Assembly passes the gay rights ordinance his congregation will gather signatures to put it on the ballot. He says that's how it was defeated before.

"I don't think any of my positions have been overstated," said Prevo. "I think the city attorney overstated my position."

But Sarah Gavit, a minister at St. Mary's Episcopal Church disagrees. She says the gay community isn't asking for special rights but simply civil rights.

She says its not surprising that people are reading e-mails and listening to radio commentary on the issue, but claims opponents are getting caught up in language and using it to deflect the issue.

"Words have power," said Gavit. "And my concern is the ugly rhetoric that is coming out of some pulpits around town is inciting violence against the gay/lesbian community and that needs to stop."

The Anchorage Baptist Temple asked its congregation to come early and wear red to show the opposition to the ordinance.

Officials at other churches Channel 2 spoke with said their services will continue on as usual. They said people are free to go to the Assembly meeting but certainly not asked to go.

A handful of church leaders spoke out in support of the ordinance at the Assembly meetings.

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Churches using pulpit to preach positions on Prop 64

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