Subject: IWG First Amendment Letters Date: Mon, 8 Jan 1996 17:18:09 -0500 (EST) From: Chris Purdom The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 2 congregations, 4 religious organizations and 20 clergy from 9 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. Visit the web page at http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/religion/orgs/iwg/. I have no idea why Spector got one and Santorum the other. It probably made sense when I wrote them. January 7, 1996 The Honorable Rick Santorum United States Senate 120 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Santorum: We are alarmed by the number of attempts in the 104th Congress to limit free speech and freedom of religion, especially through amendments to the Bill of Rights. From the flag-burning amendment, to internet censorship, to Representatives Hyde's and Istook's amendments that would hopelessly entangle church and state, the Constitution has been under constant attack all year. We urge you to preserve the laws that have made America great and vote against all such bills. Yours in faith, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators January 7, 1996 The Honorable Arlen Specter United States Senate 530 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Specter: Reps. Hyde (R-IL) and Istook (R-OK) have both offered constitutional amendments gutting separation of church and state. Istook's version allows government agencies to sanction and participate in religious observances based upon local majority rule. Hyde's is much less direct; perhaps best described as "driving the money changers into the temple." The Hyde amendment reads: Neither the United States nor any State shall deny benefits to or otherwise discriminate against any private person or group on account of religious expression, belief or identity, nor shall the prohibition on laws respecting an establishment of religion be construed to require such discrimination. This means that churches will be able to bid on government contracts, competing against both other churches and private corporations for limited gov- ernment funds, and then use government-funded programs to recruit. In Penn-sylvania "walking around money" could go to each representative's favorite church. School vouchers for use at sectarian schools would automatically be constitutional. The fine balance between the interests of church and state is one of this country's greatest achievements. We call on you to reject any attempt to change that balance. Yours in faith, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators