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Sikh Temple Members In Metro Portland Sue Leaders Over Building Move

By Howard M. Friedman

In Vancouver, Washington (part of metropolitan Portland, Oregon), a lawsuit has been filed by four members of the Guru Ram Dass Sikh Community of Vancouver and Portland against leaders of the local Sikh temple (Gurdwara). Yesterday's Vancouver Columbian reports that the internal dispute is over whether the temple should move from its current location to a former athletic club building. The suit alleges that the purchase of the athletic club building should have required a vote of the temple membership. Instead it was approved by an"executive committee" which allegedly seized control of the Gurdwara. One member says that it costs $5000 to join the executive committee, and that the Gurdwara is supposed to be run by a board whose members are elected by verbal vote. The suit also alleges that the executive committee has used intimidation to impose its will on a majority of the Sangat. Meanwhile, neighbors of the athletic club are concerned about increased traffic that may result from the new use of the property.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on October 06, 2008 (boomark / email).