The LGBT civil rights movement in Hawaii has constantly been blocked by Christian evangelicals and the Catholic Church. This unholy alliance that prevents LGBT people from full citizenship is being unmasked by courageous faith leaders who take the risk of speaking truth to power in this small island community.
In a culture where “the nail that stands out, gets pounded down” we still have brave leaders like retired Lutheran minister the Rev. Jory Watland. His letter appeared in the Honolulu Star Bulletin on March 30, 2010. Thank you Rev. Watland!
Keep religion out of politics
It was very upsetting to see the article by Richard Borreca headlined “Broadcaster Robertson speaks highly of Duke Aiona on ‘700 Club'” (Star-Bulletin, March 21). I was very disappointed to see Mr. Borreca give credence to any of the content of a talk show, to treat the content of the show as newsworthy, and to interview and elicit from local community members comments that in some cases were as offensive as the quotes from Robertson.
Our Hawaiian community has not used personal religious beliefs as a political campaign tool out of respect for, and celebration of, our diverse cultures and beliefs, and the respect for the privacy of each individual. For Mr. Borreca to report on what has become antithetical to our local culture as a newsworthy story is sad.
It is even more disturbing to have Dennis Arakaki, a former public official (and long-time friend), suggest that if a person is a Christian he/she will be prone to vote for a particular candidate for governor.
As a Christian minister, serving in Hawaii for over40 years, I find this perspective abhorrent and contrary to everything I value in a state and nation that constitutionally mandate the separation of church and state. Hawaii has fought to ensure the integrity of all by preserving the constitutional mandate against the “establishment” of a state religion.
Honolulu
Courting Equality 
Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono. Our land is sustained by doing, being and preserving what is “pono” (righteous). Did you know the 1st Amendment of the Kingdom of Hawai`i Constitution of 1840 says, “I. That no law shall be enacted which is at variance with the word of the Lord Jehovah, or at variance with the general spirit of His word. All laws of the Islands shall be in consistency with the general spirit of God’s law.” It is a typical western view to have others conform or be overthrown. Follow the money trail and you will find robbers, thieves and many times politicians with impure motives. Rev. Jory Watland’s views are neither “pono” or reflective of Hawaiians.
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