From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Columbus Indiana Letter Date: Sun, 30 Mar 1997 16:47:42 -0500 (EST) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 9 congregations and religious organizations and 38 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. March 29, 1997 Letters to the Editor The Republic 333 Second Street Columbus IN 47201 Dear Editors: We were glad to see that you have decided to educate your readers about the theological differences between many of our country's religions, their varying definitions of sin, and their understanding of the role of sinners in the church. Since the Rev. Muncie mentioned Mark 10:6-8, which is Christ's endorsement of mixed-gender marriage and an indictment of serial monogamy, it might be an interesting project to solicit commentary from clergy about their beliefs concerning remarriage. However, we must point out two inaccuracies in statements that were published on March 26: a) Presbyterians did not recently vote on the morality or immorality of homosexuality. They voted on whether someone is qualified for ordination if they have sex with someone who is not their partner in a mixed-gender marriage. It is likely that a high percentage of those voting were influenced by their understanding of sin and sexual orientation; if they were, then the closeness of the vote reinforces Jim Bilbrey's contention that many churches question the sinfulness of homosexuality. b) Rev. Muncie is not correct in saying that anyone who has reached a conclusion that homosexuality is not inherently sinful must have read the Bible with a "preplanned agenda." The movement within the greater community of faith to accept sexual minorities is new enough that most of the Christians involved (gay and straight) changed their minds after years of reading the Bible and growing up in churches that preached an anti-gay message. 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.