From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Tampa Tribune church/state/diversity letter Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 09:56:48 -0500 (EST) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 12 congregations and organizations and 53 clergy from 15 religious traditions. 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. December 15, 1997 Tampa Tribune PO Box 191 Tampa, FL 33601-4005 Dear Editors: Lucille Raymond [letter, December 9] will be happy to know that neither prayer nor religious discussion has been legally removed from the schools. Though some administrators have misinterpreted the law, prayer and discussion of religion are legal when voluntary and not favoring any one religion. Ms. Raymond is correct that "Christians are American citizens and should be treated as such." However, in a diverse society it is important that we respect and accept Christians of all types, plus members of other religions and people of all races, national origins, and sexual orientations. Teaching people to accept and respect Christians does not require forced participation in Christian rituals, just as asking someone to accept and respect homosexuals does not require them to enter into a sexual relationship with a person of the same gender. Most of us interact daily with people whose beliefs and practices are different from ours; Ms. Raymond is bothered by homosexuality, but some religious people are bothered by heterosexism. Respect and acceptance of individuals regardless of their beliefs and practices is simply common courtesy; it does not mean that you agree with those beliefs and practices. 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.