HOUSTON -- Plans for a local interfaith event marking the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have split a Houston suburb's religious community.
Twenty-three evangelical Christian churches in The Woodlands are planning an event called "9/11: One Voice, The Woodlands Remembers," which focuses on belief in Jesus, according to The Associated Press.
Representatives from several other faiths, including Islam and Judaism, had proposed an event that would include several views. They are now planning a separate event.
The Rev. Greg Johnson, one of the evangelical event's organizers, said all churches are welcome to participate as long as they accept the service will be centered on Christ.
"Our intent was not to say there is not a place for them, but we do stand on certain values and principles that define us as churches," said Johnson, pastor of the WoodsEdge Community Church. "I don't believe that's being exclusionary; that's just our principles and values."
The area's Muslim community has complained the event is being advertised as ecumenical when it is not, according to the AP.
