From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Boston Herald Don Feder letter Date: Fri, 28 Feb 1997 00:28:19 -0500 (EST) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 3 congregations, 6 religious organizations and 37 clergy from 13 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. February 27, 1997 The Boston Herald 1 Herald Square Boston, MA 02106-2096 Dear Editors: It is yet again obvious from Don Feder's column criticizing Catholic reformers that he is not familiar with the wide range of religious beliefs and religious governance systems in this country or anywhere else. There are many systems used by American Christian and Jewish denominations and movements for determining correct scriptural interpretation, among them: individual conscience; congregational prayer, discussion, and vote; congregational consensus with a rabbi advising; vote by a congregationally elected board of elders; vote at a denominational meeting by elders and clergy; vote by a council of rabbis; and separate votes by bishops, clergy, and laity. In addition, each has different rules for determining the level of dissenting opinion that will be tolerated once a decision has been reached, and different systems for dealing with dissenters. Under these various systems many Christians and Jews have agreed on different interpretations of scripture than Mr. Feder, including interpretations of Leviticus, without disrupting any of the major tenets of their faiths. Our constitutionally guaranteed rights to decide our own systems of religious belief and governance and to discuss them freely in public are wonderful gifts and we are glad that Mr. Feder chooses to exercise them, but he really needs to study some comparative religion, and to realize that without religious diversity he would run as much risk of persecution as the Catholic reformers he belittles. 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.