From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Omaha Itchy Ears Response Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 23:31:32 -0400 (EDT) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 10 congregations and religious organizations and 49 clergy from 14 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. October 10, 1997 Omaha World-Herald World-Herald Square Omaha, NE 68102 Dear Editors: We've never been accused of having itchy ears before (Al Fransen, September 29). The itchy ears passage (2 Timothy 4:1-5) was certainly an interesting choice, and appropriate in so far as we have gathered a steadily growing group of religious organizations and clergy from fourteen faiths and denominations who support gay rights, reproductive freedom, and the separation of church and state. A huge number of Christian denominations and interdenominational organiza-tions have split, joined, been created from scratch and faded out in the last 2,000 years. Ever since this country was founded by Jews, Quakers, Baptists, Catholics, Congregationalists, Anabaptists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Puritans, there have been many schisms, unions and newly created sects in American religion. The American tradition of believing what you want to believe and worshipping as you see fit should hardly be a new or disturbing concept to Mr. Fransen. Most of us did not choose our religions because we were already pro-gay, but instead feel that a pro-gay position is mandated by our religious beliefs. 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.