The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 3 congregations, 5 religious
organizations and 37 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.  Visit the web page at http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/.

November 11, 1996

Life Magazine
Time & Life Bldg.
Rockefeller Center
New York, NY  10020-1393

Dear Editors:

Thank you for your article about same-gender marriage. 
It is hardly a surprise that most of the opposition to
such marriages has come from churches.  After all,
there are very different definitions of marriage from
one religious institution to another. What is alarming
is that some churches want to use their religious
definitions of marriage to limit which marriages--
whether performed in their religious tradition or not--
receive civil recognition.  While the percentage of
religious groups advocating same-sex marriage is still
relatively low, these groups are providing important
leadership in the struggle for its legal recognition.




					Sincerely,
		Barbara Purdom            	Christopher Purdom
			Interfaith Working Group Coordinators