Subject: IWG Alexandria VA Denominational Debates
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1998 23:18:08 -0400 (EDT)

September 1, 1998

Alexandria Journal
6408 Edsall Road
Alexandria, VA 22312

Dear Editors:

Michael McManus' August 28 commentary about sexual
orientation and churches was problematic, especially
the implication that church growth is more important
than doing the right thing.  He ignores the United
Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalists, who
have taken gay-friendly positions at the national
level while leaving room for diversity of opinion at
the regional and congregational levels.  He states
without proof that declining membership in the United
Methodist, Presbyterian (USA) and Episcopal Churches
was caused by debates over sexual orientation, and
that the solution is to end the debate in favor of
those who oppose equal treatment of sexual
minorities.  Debates over orientation are never even
heard in many of these churches, and a decline in
overall membership does not translate to a decline in
every congregation. There are healthy and growing
gay-friendly congregations.  Finally, McManus makes
the mistake of assuming that all who are trying to
change church policy are themselves gays or lesbians. 
There are plenty of heterosexuals who believe in and
work for justice for sexual minorities.

Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 16 congregations and
organizations and 59 clergy from 16 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.

-- 

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.