From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Kansas City Star Letter Date: Sat, 14 Dec 1996 23:41:50 -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 14, 1996 Letters Editor The Kansas City Star 1729 Grand Avenue Kansas City, MO 64108 Dear Editors: Regardless of letter-writer Chris Miller's understanding of the word "church," the legal definition of a house of worship includes a number of different denominations and faiths. A congregation may use any number of sources for scriptures-- including the Bible--or not use any at all. Many churches do not believe in the absolute authority of the Bible, including churches which are morally opposed to same-sex marriage, and there are churches which do believe in the absolute authority of the Bible, and believe that the Bible mandates same-sex marriage. Just as there are different religious definitions of "church" and one legal definition of a house of worship which encompasses almost all of them, there are also many different religious definitions of marriage, and one legal definition which should encompass as many as possible. Religious liberty, which sets us apart from much of the rest of the world and makes this country great, depends on the strict separation of church and state. No one religious group can or should decide how the rest of us may use the language. 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.