For a group dedicated to bringing people of faith together to pray for society and government officials, the Idaho Prayer Fellowship has stubbed its toe.

Rather than focus on prayers and blessing, the group that sponsors the Idaho State Prayer Breakfast has stirred religious flames in the Boise area with its choice of a main speaker: the Rev. Hormoz Shariat, an Iranian convert to Christianity now living in California who has a ministry of proselytizing Muslims. Shariat, of course, has every right to promote the Gospel to whomever he pleases in this country, just as Muslims have the right to try to win converts here, too.

But a figure as controversial as Shariat, especially in the Muslim community, is a poor choice to speak at an event that attracts different faiths and has Gov. Dirk Kempthorne’s unofficial endorsement. According to the Idaho Statesman, organizer Dave Baumann inflamed the situation further by describing Islam as a violent religion, stating: “They say they would like to kill all Jews and kill all Christians. They try to convert by the sword. Christians don’t do that.”

Understandably, Muslims, Jews and some Christian groups are boycotting the breakfast. Kempthorne should, too.

A prayer breakfast is expected to establish friendships among those who are drawn to such events. It ought to unite hearts, not divide. Prayer should be the focus of the event, not personality, ministry or evangelism. Goodwill among differing faiths in a state that once banned Mormons from voting should be the undercurrent. Instead, the Idaho Prayer Fellowship has elected to stand by Shariat as speaker after apologizing to Idaho Muslims for Baumann’s comments. As Idaho’s top representative, Kempthorne should eschew the controversy and the appearance that he endorses Shariat’s attitudes by avoiding the event.

Once known as the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast, the annual event is organized by the private prayer fellowship and gets no state funding. However, the breakfast carries Kempthorne’s unofficial imprimatur. Not only has he agreed to speak at it, but his photo and the state seal appear on promotional fliers. Kempthorne spokesman Mike Journee told the Statesman that the governor usually spoke at the breakfast and that “there’s no reason for us to change that.”

Baumann and Idaho Prayer Fellowship have placed Kempthorne in a difficult spot by standing by Shariat.

In a prepared apology to Muslims, President Jim Flecker of the prayer fellowship said: “The goal of the breakfast is the opposite of exclusive, and is in fact to encourage people of all faiths to pray for our society and its leaders.”

Worthy goal. But Shariat’s presence at the podium undercuts it.

Conservative religionists who support the controversial speaker should consider another scenario. What if the speaker was a gay Episcopalian priest who was outspoken in his opposition to Idaho’s proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage? Would the individuals backing Rev. Shariat still be as enthusiastic? If the prayer breakfast is truly open to all religions, then organizers should be careful not to offend attendees. If it’s a private organization’s attempt to proselytize other religions, then state officials should avoid it.