Editorial: A time to help calm waters, not to fan flames

Tensions between the Slavic evangelical community and supporters of gay and lesbian rights have been building for months in Sacramento. The two sides have clashed at the Capitol and in public schools over legislation, anti-gay T-shirts and free speech rights.

Now it appears those tensions will spill into a courtroom.

The Sheriff's Department is investigating the death of a 26-year-old man, Satender Singh, at Lake Natoma on July 1. Singh was celebrating with friends, and had been seen hugging and dancing with other men.

Witnesses say a group of Russian-speaking men yelled anti-gay slurs at Singh and his party. A fight ensued.

Singh was punched in the face. He fell backward and cracked his head. He died four days later.

Since Singh's death, a number of community leaders and gay-pride activists have suggested that the anti-gay rhetoric of Slavic religious leaders led to this violence. This is an explosive contention.

There's no doubt that certain preachers have used their pulpits to deliver a message of intolerance against homosexuals and have condoned provocations that have led to the current conflict. Yet the investigation of Singh's death is still in its early stages. It has not been made public who was involved with the attack, where they lived, whether they participated in anti-gay activism, were motivated by Singh's Fijian ethnicity -- or what language they spoke. Until the Sheriff's Department finishes its investigation, everyone should avoid a rush to judgment.

At the same time, it is disappointing to see how Slavic church leaders have responded to Singh's death. Far too few have stepped forward and offered condolences to Singh's family and friends, the obvious sentiment a religious leader would offer at such a tragic moment.

A little more than a week ago, Viktor Chernyetsky, administrator of the Bethany Slavic Missionary Church, was asked about Singh's death by a reporter for The Bee. To his credit, Chernyetsky stated that his congregation was strongly against violence. Unfortunately, this church leader then turned around and further inflamed the situation.

"We see danger that comes from the gay community, in Sacramento especially," Chernyetsky said.

"So probably," he added, "we need to be more vocal."

Sacramento is home to an estimated 100,000 Russian-speaking residents, of which a third are thought to be conservative evangelicals. Many emigrated here to escape oppression and because other evangelical groups welcomed them.

Some of these recent arrivals may not be aware that gays and lesbians are also recovering from a history of violent repression. It wasn't so long ago that most homosexuals in California had to hide their sexual orientation for fear of being beaten. Even now, they still face that threat. Singh's death is elevating those fears.

Anti-gay evangelicals have a right to practice their religion and speak their beliefs, but the First Amendment also comes with responsibilities. Yelling fire in a crowded theater is an oft-cited abuse of those rights.

Whatever the circumstances of Singh's death, religious leaders of the Slavic evangelical community must consider whether their anti-gay message is pouring fuel on the fire.