Three clergymen known as the “Interfaith Amigos” are coming to Whidbey Island Thursday, Sept. 23, and the event promises to provide a lively example of how people of different faiths not only can get along, but be friendly toward one another.

The world has seldom been in more need of religious tolerance. The U.S. media widely publicizes zealots who threaten to burn the Quran and try to stop construction of an Islamic center a few blocks from Ground Zero in New York City. Meanwhile, religious differences are not tolerated in much of the Muslim world. Death edicts are made against novelists, filmmakers and cartoonists, and just try to build a church in Saudi Arabia and see how quickly the permit comes through. It’s not going to happen, at least in this “modern” era.

Trying to bring some common sense, tolerance and even humor to such religious differences are the Interfaith Amigos, consisting of sheik Jamal Rahman, rabbi Ted Falcon and pastor Don Makenzie representing, respectively, portions of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities. They travel together and host a radio show, inviting other sects and branches of the different faiths to participate. On Whidbey Island, for example, the evening will begin with a Native American, or “First Nations,” ceremony.

It will be worth a visit to St. Augustine’s-in-the-Woods Episcopal Church in Freeland to learn from the Interfaith Amigos. Since the fate of the world may ultimately hinge on the positive acceptance of religious differences, the subject matter could not be more important. The “Interfaith Vigil of Peace and Hope” begins at 7 p.m. on Sept. 23. Perhaps by the time it is over, a few more amigos will join the crowd.