From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Minot ND letter Date: Sun, 30 Mar 1997 16:44:36 -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 29, 1997 Minot Daily News 301 4th St. SE Minot, ND 48701 Dear Editors: We were baffled by letters in your paper (March 23) from pastors from two different denominations both claiming that the church never evolves or changes its mind, or encounters new situations which require new ideas. One even said that such thinking will lead to social decay, and the creation of all sorts of churches dedicated to criminal intent. If this were true, these two men would not belong to different denominations! If this were true, this country would not have so many denominations, or non-denominational churches. Christians disagree over the nature of sin, the day to celebrate the Sabbath, how often to have communion, the meaning of communion, who to ordain as clergy or church officers, the nature of the trinity, criteria for salvation, the necessity of tithing, and other non- church-related social issues. Disagreement over slavery caused a split between the northern and southern branches of many denominations that was not finally resolved (in some, never resolved) until more than a hundred years after the Civil War ended. It should be no surprise that there are so many constant well-publicized debates in every denomination over policy. The debate over sexual orientation is not the first or most heated debate people of faith have ever had, nor is it likely to be the last. It will be easier to discuss this issue with a minimum of rancor if we remember that with a few exceptions, especially since the turn of the last century, the American people have embraced religious diversity and escaped the religious turmoil and hatred that have swept through many other countries. 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.