From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Chicago Tribune Letter Date: Sat, 14 Dec 1996 23:44:28 -0500 (EST) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 3 congregations, 5 religious organizations and 36 clergy from 12 faiths and denominations. If you are in the general Philadelphia area and represent a congregation or religious organization or are clergy, let us know if you want to be added - all faiths are welcome. We will also be happy to help start similar organizations in other areas. December 13, 1996 The Chicago Tribune 435 N. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60611 Dear Editor: We were disturbed and confused by your use of language in a recent editorial about same-sex marriage. You said that same-sex marriage is "insulting traditional concepts of matrimony, which are wrapped up in the religious sanctification of same-sex unions." Are you implying that the religious sanctification of same-sex unions is insulting to the traditional concepts of matrimony? By recognizing only those religiously- sanctified unions that involve mixed-gender couples, the state insults religious bodies whose concepts of marriage include same-gender couples. Furthermore, the state regularly risks insulting some groups' traditional concepts of matrimony by recognizing second marriages, interfaith marriages, interracial marriages, and non-monogamous marriages. Civil marriage is a state-recognized contract of mutual care and support between two consenting adults and is not bound by the restrictions of any religious group. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators -- Interfaith Working Group Religious organizations, congregations iwg@libertynet.org and clergy supporting gay rights, http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/ reproductive freedom, and the 215-235-3050 separation of church and state.