From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG LA Times/Cal Thomas letter Date: Sun, 8 Dec 1996 22:58:23 -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 8, 1996 Los Angeles Times Times Mirror Square Los Angeles, CA 90053 Dear Editors: Cal Thomas is extremely confused. Whether God is the author of Christian and Jewish religious marriage is a theological debate unrelated to the granting of civil marriage licenses. There is no religious test required in order to get a marriage license, and while some states make it difficult to get married without benefit of clergy, it is not impossible. Clergy from religions not based on Judaism or Christianity, both theistic and non- theistic, have the authority to perform marriages. Furthermore, within the Christian and Jewish traditions are the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, who both say that official religious marriage is for mixed-gender couples only, but who, unlike Mr. Thomas, respect the separation of church and state. There are also groups such as the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, the Metropolitan Community Church, the Unitarian Universalist Association, and many Quaker congregations who support religious same-sex marriages. The Constitutional protections that allow members of Mr. Thomas's religion to practice their faith as they see fit are supposed to apply equally to everyone else as well. Unfortunately Mr. Thomas expects the government to hold up his faith as the best example and to maintain a system in which the most benefits go to those who think and act like him. 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.