From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Des Moines Register Letter Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 23:29:58 -0400 (EDT) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 10 congregations and religious organizations and 39 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. April 21, 1997 The Des Moines Register Box 957 Des Moines, IA 50304 Dear Editors: In his letter of April 21, Larry Miller made an incorrect distinction between "liberals" and "people of faith." Many people of faith support multiculturalism, tolerance, and separation of church and state; nor do they attach the meanings to these ideas that Mr. Miller claims. Society has a right to say that a person's action or behavior is wrong or immoral. We have laws against theft, murder, kidnapping and many other activities. We also have some basic disagreements in this country over exactly what types of sexual behavior are wrong or immoral; and sometimes the disagreements stem from individuals' religious beliefs, and sometimes not. Separation of church and state does not preclude people of faith from involvement in public policy and government. It does preclude the direct involvement of tax-deductible organizations in the political process, direct payments of public money to religious organizations, forced participation in religious activities, and the imposition of laws that have no reason except to further the religious aims of one group of people. Multiculturalism is the recognition that there are many different groups of people in this country with many different belief systems, and that there always have been, which is why we need tolerance and the separation of church and state. 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.