Subject: IWG LA Times Letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 23:51:33 -0500 (EST)

The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 9 congregations and religious
organizations and 38 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.

March 26, 1997

Los Angeles Times
Times Mirror Square
Los Angeles, CA 90053

Dear Editors:

We were disturbed by two quotes in John Dart's March 23
piece about the Presbyterian Church (USA) which
fundamentally mischaracterized the debate over the
"Fidelity and Chastity Amendment" in particular, and
sexual issues in general.  These same
mischaracterizations have become commonplace in many
religious bodies and in the larger society as
disagreements over sexual issues continue.

Rev. Roberta Hestenes' statement that "the church does
not wish to change its understanding of Scripture and
its requirement for ordination," was the most accurate
quote from the amendment's supporters, though it is
difficult to determine how one can speak of the church
having an understanding when such a significant
minority voted against the ruling and many have already
stated publicly that they will not abide by it.

Rev. William Craig said, "We have lost the conviction
that God has the power to heal sexual brokenness,"
which glosses over the basic disagreement over what
constitutes "brokenness".  The debate is not over
whether homosexuality is a sickness that can be cured,
but over whether it is a sickness at all.

It will be difficult, if not impossible, for the
Presbyterian Church (USA) or any other body to deal
with these fundamental disagreements if we cannot even
recognize, much less appreciate, the very great
diversity of opinions on this topic.

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.