From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Promise Keepers TV Coverage Letter Date: Sun, 18 Jan 1998 22:38:55 -0500 (EST) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 12 congregations and organizations and 54 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. An identical letter will also be sent to the Channel 10 News Director January 16, 1998 Jeff Bartlett News Director KYW Channel 3 Independence Mall East Philadelphia, PA 19106 Dear Mr. Bartlett: Your 11:00 pm newscast on January 15 incorrectly stated that the protesters at the Promise Keepers clergy conference were upset about their exclusion of women. This mistake was made even though the story included footage of Barbara DiTullio criticizing Promise Keepers for not mentioning equality for women; exclusion and inequality are not the same. What the story ignored altogether were the many other issues raised by clergy at the press conference conducted by Equal Partners in Faith: the promotion of distinct gender roles; the focus on reconciliation between disparate groups rather than equality between them; the effect on churches of having men's groups that answer to an outside organization; and the attitude concerning homosexuality and non-Christian faiths, especially Judaism. Those in the leadership of Promise Keepers also have historically been involved in supporting conservative political causes and organizations, another point ignored by your story. The issues raised at the press conference had nothing to do with who was present at the clergy conference (it was very well known that women would be admitted). These issues were raised because Promise Keepers makes statements that are in direct contradiction: they claim to be non-political, despite the track record of their leaders; they claim not to be sexist while claiming that men should lead and women should defer to men; and they claim conquering racism is a major focus of the organization while failing to promote programs that would truly foster economic equality for minorities. And finally, they have portrayed themselves as a general Christian men's movement, despite the fact that many Christian men and women and people of other faiths are troubled by these contradictions and feel that the theology of Promise Keepers excludes them. Reporting on any one of these disagreements, or stating that there were many points of contention, would have made a more accurate story. 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.