Subject: IWG Joplin MO letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 23:48:30 -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.

May 17, 1996

The Joplin Globe
PO Box 7
Joplin, MO  64801

Dear Editors:

In his May 9 letter Rev. A.W. Lavender says that Holy
Scriptures universally condemn what he calls a
"sickening way of living."  Sexual orientation is not a
"way of living;" it is an aspect of an individual. 
Whether it is genetic, chosen, or, as most scientific
researchers agree, determined at a very early age,
homosexuality is not a disease, and does not require a
cure.  Sexual minorities deserve just as much respect,
love, and affirmation as everyone else.  Freedom of
association and speech must be protected for sexual
minorities as much as for an individual--of any
orientation--who has chosen a particular religion.

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.