From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Church/State and Religious Violence Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 23:17:02 -0400 (EDT) September 5, 1998 Leader-Telegram Box 570 Eau Claire, WI 54702 Dear Editors: We were very disturbed by Kirk Bergquist's letter of August 30. He has appararantly failed to notice there are a great many different religions coexisting peacefully in the United States. With a few exceptions, we have escaped the religious violence that plagues the rest of the world. It is irresponsible of him to suggest (and possibly more irresponsible of your paper to publish his suggestion) that it is acceptable to kill people who do not meet one's religious standard of behavior. All of us will fail to live up to someone's standard. This is precisely why we have a Constitution that guarantees the rights of all without interference from any one religion. 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 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.