From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Inquirer letter Date: Thu, 5 Jun 1997 22:45:51 -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 5, 1997 The Philadelphia Inquirer PO Box 8263 Phila., PA 19101 Dear Editors: Thank you for Jennifer Weiner's extensive coverage of conflicts over how to address issues of sexual orientation in the schools. Unfortunately the inclusion of William Devlin and Concerned Women for America as both the only religious voices and the only voices of opposition did give the incorrect impression that debates over homosexuality are between the religious and the areligious. Many people from Jewish and Christian traditions support the work being done by GLSTN, as well as the formation of organizations like Central's Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Bisexual Alliance. Furthermore. while Mr. Devlin raises an interesting point about a lack of material promoting abstinence, that is a problem easily solved without attempting to remove other, perfectly reasonable materials from the schools simply because he views them as recruitment materials. Abstinence materials with a religious slant could also be viewing as "recruiting." Given the wide range of religious opinions on this topic, we need to include the whole spectrum of religious debate in our social deliberations or make sure that our social policies are not based primarily on religious belief. 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.