Subject: IWG Anchorage Daily News Letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 23:40:42 -0400 (EDT)

The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 10 congregations and religious
organizations and 41 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.

July 5, 1997

Letters to the Editor
Anchorage Daily News
PO Box 149001
Anchorage, AK 99514-9001

Dear Editor:

Donald R. Hancock's letter of July 4 listed two "facts"
which require some response.  First of all, there is a
distinct difference of opinions among Christians as to
whether homosexuality is an "abomination before God" or
not.  Despite the existence of some translations that
make it seem otherwise, the Bible does not mention
homosexuality at all.  Certain acts in specific
contexts are mentioned; homosexuality as a mental and
spiritual state of being is not.  Second, religious
affiliation also meets Mr. Hancock's description of
sexual orientation as  "a choice, not something the
individual has no control over such as race, gender, or
physical/mental impairment."  However, we sincerely
hope that Mr. Hancock  would not condone a boycott of
Disney for extending employee benefits to those whose
marriages were solemnized in non-Baptist churches. 
Unfortunately, since many churches do bless same-sex
unions, he already has.

Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

-- 

Interfaith Working Group                Religious organizations, congregations
[email-masked]                      and clergy supporting gay rights,
http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/         reproductive freedom, and the 
215-235-3050                            separation of church and state.