HONOLULU -- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Neil Abercrombie says his opponent, Mufi Hannemann's supporters are using a negative ad and flier to divide the community and attack his character.

The flier was created by a group formed August 23 called "Island Values." It says Neil Abercrombie mocks the faith based community, and supports initiatives Christians dislike.

Dennis Arakaki, formerly with the conservative Christian, Hawaii Family Forum, voiced the radio ad.

Arakaki said, "In the battle of HB444, we learned the importance of electing people with our traditional Christian values."

HB444 is the civil unions bill to give gay couples all the rights of marriage under Hawaii law. Gov. Linda Lingle (R) vetoed the civil unions bill this summer. Abercrombie supports gay unions. Hannemann does not.

In the radio ad, Arakaki says,"There are acceptable and unacceptable candidates. Neil Abercrombie is unacceptable. He declares no religious affiliation."

Abercrombie told KITV he was confirmed as an Episcopalian.

Abercrombie refused to talk to KITV in person but e-mailed a videotaped criticism of the Island Values flier and ad.

On the tape, Abercrombie said in the ad, "They use inflammatory language against me, and they distort my record. Let me be clear. This kind of divisive and deceptive politics has no place in Hawaii."

In the ad, Arakaki urges Christians, many of whom would normally vote for Republican gubernatorial candidate James Duke Aiona, a Catholic, to cross over in the primary election.

"Christians can make a difference now by voting in the Democratic primary. Please pull a Democratic ballot and vote for the acceptable candidate, Mufi Hannemann," said Arakaki.

Garret Hashimoto, chairman of the Hawaii Christian Coalition, told KITV last week the Hannemann campaign has been warning church groups Republican gubernatorial front runner Aiona might not win so conservative Christians would be better off voting for Hannemann who as governor would be more in tune with their issues than Abercrombie.

Hannemann's campaign said Sunday it's not responsible for the ad or the flier. Hannemann on Friday asked his supporters not to distribute the flier.

"Legitimate issues deserve full and through discussion and evaluation, and the tenor and the tone of this flier do not encourage that, " said Hannemann.

Abercrombie's campaign said Hannemann supporter Ken Wong is listed as deputy treasurer of the group that made the ad.

"This kind of negative politics is not going to work in this election -- not in Hawaii. We are calling them on it," said Abercrombie.

Hannemann's campaign said Wong is free to express his individual opinion.

State GOP Executive Director Dylan Nonaka called Island Values a phony front organization for Hannemann.

"This is not a real organization. I mean, it is political. Obviously, they are saying it is not orchestrated, but we can see through this. It not an honest way to campaign," said Nonaka.

Nonaka said the GOP is continuing to urge Hawaii Republicans to vote for Republicans in the primary election.

Republicans are concerned if conservative Christians vote Democrat in the Hawaii primary election, it will take away votes from Aiona as well as 13 contested Republican primaries, seven of which have more that three Republicans vying to win.

"We have got plenty of people who need support in the primary," said Nonaka.