From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Anchorage Response Date: Wed, 30 Jul 1997 23:42:50 -0400 (EDT) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 10 congregations and religious organizations and 44 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 30, 1997 Letters to the Editor Anchorage Daily News PO Box 149001 Anchorage, AK 99514-9001 Dear Editors: In response to a letter of ours published in the Anchorage Daily News, two other letters have recently been published which said essentially that we are unfamiliar with the Bible. We felt compelled to write back since we are in fact familiar with the passages quoted by the writers. These passages are often interpreted as general restrictions on same-gender sexual behavior, but many knowledgeable people believe that other interpretations are more accurate. We certainly agree with the recommendation that your readers look at the passages in context and endeavor to understand exactly what is meant by "lying with a man as with a woman" (Leviticus), whether same- gender rape equals same-gender attraction (Genesis), whether same-gender attraction is always a God-induced punishment for idol worship (Romans), and how any of this relates to the modern medical understanding of sexual orientation. The writers responding to our letter seem to be rejecting the whole notion of homosexuality as a naturally-occuring phenomenom, just as creationists use their interpretation of the Bible to argue against evolution. They simply cite chapter and verse and assume that all readers will come to the same conclusions that they have. It is no more reasonable to assume that the average reader is actually going to look up the passages in question than it is to assume that anyone who disagrees with a particular interpretation has not read the Bible at all. If you are interested in a more thorough discussion of the topic from a variety of religious viewpoints, we invite you to visit our web page at: http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/. 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.