Local faith leaders lined up last week to combat Proposition 8, the November ballot initiative that, if passed, will eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to marry.

Thursday, local clergy members joined forces with the No on 8 campaign and a statewide coalition of faith leaders opposed to Proposition 8 to call voters and encourage them to vote “no” on the marriage ban.

“Regardless of how people feel about marriage, it is simply wrong to eliminate fundamental human rights,” said Jan Garbosky, President of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego’s Board of Trustees. “That’s why these faith leaders are speaking out, to preserve the basic human dignity of all Californians. They understand what the law says about marriage, and that no church or clergy member could be forced to perform wedding ceremonies for same-sex, or any other, couples.”

Faith leaders have played a key role in the Yes and No campaigns. According to a Web site tracking Yes on 8 donations, members of the Mormon church have contributed more than $9 million to Proposition 8, and have launched an out-of-state effort to mobilize voters.

In September, faith leaders who support Proposition 8 launched a push for congregations to fast and pray for the same-sex marriage ban. The effort will culminate three days before the election, when more than 100,000 people are expected to participate in a revival at Qualcomm Stadium to pray for Proposition 8 to pass.

“This is not political to us. We see it as very spiritual,” said Jim Garlow, the pastor of the evangelical Skyline Church in San Diego County and leader of an interfaith coalition that has held monthly teleconferences, shared sermons and solicited donations for the ballot measure, to the Associated Press

Meanwhile, the No campaign is hoping faith leaders who represent inclusive or diverse churches will help share its message.

Delores Jacobs, chief executive officer of The San Diego LGBT Community Center and The Center Advocacy Project, said help from leaders and the faith community is critical to No on 8’s success.

“Those who are seeking to eliminate the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry represent themselves as speaking for ‘the faith community,’” Jacobs said. “We know that is untrue and it is vital that that the voices of faith leaders and all people of faith who do not believe eliminating the rights of others is their mission, speak out. Further, the open and affirming faiths are about to lose their freedoms as well. They will lose the right to practice their faith as they interpret it and to marry same-sex couples. This is their fight as well. No one set of faiths and no one group of people should have the right to insist that the government honor only their faith instead of the diversity of faith opinions.”

Rev. Arvid Straube of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, who also participated in last week’s phone bank, has encouraged members of his congregation to get involved with the No on 8 campaign.

“As a pastor, I’ve seen the pain caused by discrimination,” Straube said. “It’s time we had equal rights.”

Others who participated agree.

“The United Church of Christ has been quite vocal in its opposition to Proposition 8, and in trying to explain equality as one of our core values,” said Pastor Scott Landis of the Mission Hills United Church of Christ. “We were all created in God’s image, and we should all have the same rights, which echoes the sentiment, I believe, you see in the No on 8 ads – that Proposition 8 is unfair and wrong.”

Landis, who has officiated more than 15 same-sex weddings since the California Supreme Court’s ruling lifted the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, said phone banking has helped him dispel myths about Proposition 8.

“It really gives you an opportunity to talk with people, and correct some of the false information they’ve been led astray by and the lies being told by the Yes on 8 campaign,” he said. “It’s helpful to talk with people and make sure they have accurate information. I’ve found people are really quite rational when you explain fairness and equality, and how passing Proposition 8 would write discrimination into our constitution.”

In advertisements, the Yes on 8 campaign claims same-sex marriage, if allowed to continue, will be taught in public schools, and churches that refuse to officiate same-sex weddings will risk losing tax-exempt status.

“Fair-minded people can disagree on homosexuality with respect to what the Bible teaches,” Landis said. “Where I have a real problem is when lies are being spread … We read the same Bible, and it tells us ‘Thou shalt not bear false witness.’ This is false witness. This is lying. It’s really low and unfair.”

The statewide coalition working on the No on 8 campaign targeted those Yes on 8 ads this week. In particular, the campaign recruited educators to debunk the claim same-sex marriage will be taught to children in schools.

President of the California State School Board, Ted Mitchell, said, “Let me be clear, there is nothing in California state law that would require the teaching of marriage and that will not change. These ads are ridiculous and they are an insult to California’s voters.”

“The Yes on 8 ads are alarming and irresponsible,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell. “Our public schools are not required to teach about marriage. And, in fact, curriculum involving health issues is chosen by local school governing boards.”