From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Bill Maher Letter Date: Sat, 12 Jul 1997 22:51:33 -0400 (EDT) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 10 congregations and religious organizations and 42 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 10, 1997 Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher 7800 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036 Dear Mr. Maher: Thank you for giving your audience a sense of the ongoing debate over religion and sexual orientation. By using religious arguments to counter heterosexual-supremecist viewpoints both you and your guests did a more than adequate job of preventing the debate from disintegrating into "morality vs. immorality" or "Christians vs. everybody else." And you certainly showed respect and restraint in praising the one dissenting guest for sticking to her beliefs, even if you did refer to her as a "Bible Thumper." We encourage you in the future to consider inviting guests with some expertise and credentials in progressive religion and/or church/state separation. We have referred print and broadcast media to qualified speakers for interviews and spirited debates, and would be happy to assist your staff in locating appropriate guests. 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.