From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Denver Post Letter Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 22:34:23 -0500 (EST) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 11 congregations and religious organizations and 49 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. November 10, 1997 The Denver Post 650 15th Street Denver, CO 80202 Dear Editors: Ellen Makkai's commentary on sexual orientation ("Guiding voice falls mute," November 9) completely failed to recognize the distinctions between individual religiously-motivated behavior, social acceptability, denominational policy, and civil law. If Ms. Makkai wants to go around telling people that they're going to hell for not sharing her understanding of "the truth," then she has a constitutionally-protected right to do so. But such behavior is not generally socially acceptable, no matter what the reason. As for the correct behavior of "the church" (which Ms. Makkai inexplicably uses interchangeably with "Bible Thumpers") there is a great deal of disagreement among Christian denominations, clergy, and congregations about how to react to sexual minorities. Some take a stand against same-gender sexual behavior both for members and non-members; some frown on it for church members but support it as a civil right; some attempt to convert people to heterosexual behavior; some champion the rights of the historically oppressed in all aspects of society; and others simply stay silent and wish that the issue would go away. Equal protection under the law, like Ms. Makkai's right to tell people that they are going to hell or to worship with other people who share her vision of the truth, is protected by the constitution, not defined by the beliefs of any one religion. 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.