From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Amarillo Letter Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 23:09:10 -0400 (EDT) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 10 congregations and religious organizations and 46 clergy from 14 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. August 26, 1997 Amarillo Globe News PO Box 2091 Amarillo, TX 79166 Dear Editors: Thank you for your extensive and balanced August 21 coverage of the Christian debate over sexual orientation. We would like to suggest three corrections: First, while you mentioned the passage of Amendment B in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the subsequent passage of covenants of dissent, you failed to mention that a revised version of Amendment B, which removes all references to gender, was passed at this year's General Assembly and will be put to another vote by the presbyteries. Second, the phrase "alternative lifestyle" is only used by those who are opposed to the acceptance of homosexuality. Those of us who reject the notion that heterosexuality is inherently superior do not view minority gender orientations as alternatives, but parts of normal human experience. Furthermore, homosexuality is an orientation, not a lifestyle. Sexual minorities, like religious and racial minorities, lead as many different lifestyles as the majority and are found in all religious and ethnic groups. Third, you failed to mention that some religious groups, such as the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, the United Church of Christ, Reconstructionist Judaism, Reform Judaism, the Disciples of Christ and the Unity Fellowship churches have already moved past this debate or are way ahead of the denominations you mentioned. 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.