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RELIGION

Independent Hawaii
backed in Methodist
magazine

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Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- A magazine of the United Methodist Church, President Bush's denomination, features an article advocating "decolonization and total independence" for the state of Hawaii.

The article in Christian Social Action, published by the Methodists' General Board of Church and Society, is by the Rev. Kaleo Patterson, executive director of the Hawaii Ecumenical Coalition.

Patterson contends Hawaii's status as one of the 50 states has been "emptied of any legal or political legitimacy," and accuses the United States of separating "a friendly nation from its history, cultural roots, land, language and destiny. Hawaii today is literally a kidnapped nation."

The magazine's issue, on the theme of colonialism, includes other articles criticizing the "lack of political autonomy and freedom" for Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth, and advocating self-determination for Guam, a U.S. territory.

In response, Mark Tooley, a Methodist and member of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, said Christian Social Action and its sponsoring board "are an embarrassment to the United Methodist Church and should be put out of business."