Subject: IWG Bergen County Denominational Debates
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1998 23:15:12 -0400 (EDT)

September 3, 1998

Bergen Record
150 River Street
Hackensack, NJ 07602

Dear Editors:

David Gibson's August 30 commentary about
denominational sexual orientation debates was
thoughtful and balanced, but problematic.  His makes
the mistake of saying that no major denomination
officially sanctions ordination of "active
homosexuals."  Both the United Church of Christ and
the Unitarian Universalist Association officially
approve of the ordination of gays and lesbians and
have national offices for sexual minority issues. 
There are also smaller gay-friendly denominations
such as the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan
Community Churches (over 300 congregations) and the
Unity Fellowship churches, which mostly have gay
clergy and members.  

The debate is continuing because real live people are
being denied their call to church leadership
positions, recognition of their relationships, or the
right to bless some relationships. There is no middle
ground; either the ordinations and ceremonies occur
or they don't.  Banning debate is tantamount to
choosing sides.  Now individual congregations and
clergy are refusing to follow denominational rules,
so the debate has moved into denominational courts.

In the end the debates will be settled as they always
are, with people joining religious bodies where they
feel welcome, and can worship and believe as they
choose.  That's the beauty of religious liberty.  But
the very real pain being felt by those who feel
abused by and forced out of their religious
communities is unfortunate and avoidable and will
only be ended by policy changes, not a refusal to
debate.

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.