From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Hattiesburg American letter Date: Fri, 28 Feb 1997 00:36:07 -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 Hattiesburg American PO Box 1111 Hattiesburg, MS 39401 Dear Editor: In his letter suggesting that the inhabitants of Camp Sister Spirit be deported to Hawaii, J.D. Hendry implies that his attitude is typical of Christians and should not be confused with religious fanaticism. Mr. Hendry is obviously not familiar with the wide range of beliefs on social issues among Christians and the larger community of faith, many of whom believe in the moral equivalence of same-gender relationships, and few of whom believe in the sort of relentless persecution of minorities which Mr. Hendry seems to revel in. Nor does Mr. Hendry appear to recognize the Constitutional right to petition the government for the redress of grievances, a category which certainly applies to Mississippi's refusal to allow United States citizens participation in the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage solely on the basis of their genders. 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.