Subject: IWG Inquirer letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 15:07:19 -0400 (EDT)

The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 10 congregations and religious
organizations and 41 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.

June 14, 1997

The Philadelphia Inquirer
PO Box 8263
Phila., PA 19101

Dear Editors:

We were going to let Leonard Pitt Jr.'s column on
homosexuality and Christian biblical interpretation
pass without comment, since it seemed well-balanced and
honest, and Mr. Pitt stated quite plainly that he did
not claim to have any answers.  However, George Galcik
and the Rev. Paul E. Randolph were not content to let
Mr. Pitt wonder out loud, but felt compelled to cite
chapter and verse in laying out their own theological
positions.  Rev. Randolph even expressed some concern
about journalists who happen to see things differently. 
But it is not just journalists who see things
differently from Rev. Randolph.  There are many
Christian and Jewish clergy and congregations who do
not believe that homosexuality is inherently sinful,
including many who do not think that the question of
genetic determination even has any bearing on the
issue, as well as many who, like Mr. Galcik, classify
themselves as "Bible believing."  

Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

-- 

Interfaith Working Group                Religious organizations, congregations
[email-masked]                      and clergy supporting gay rights,
http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/         reproductive freedom, and the 
215-235-3050                            separation of church and state.