Subject: IWG New Haven Marriage Letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1998 23:18:31 -0400 (EDT)

October 5, 1998

Letters to the Editor
New Haven Register
Long Wharf-40 Sargent Dr.
New Haven, CT 06511

Dear Editor:

A recent letter from Joel Mark Solliday about marriage
missed some critical points.  When he marries a couple
he is doing so in a religious ceremony, not a civil
ceremony.  He may marry whoever he chooses.  He does
not have to accept the state's definition of marriage,
and indeed, many religious institutions do not accept
the state's definition of marriage.   Many religious
institutions are more limiting than the state,
rejecting interfaith marriages or remarriages after
divorce.  And some have a broader definition, blessing
the unions of same-gender couples.  The word "marriage"
already has many meanings to many people, and it is
already being used by some religious institutions to
include gays and lesbians.

Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 15 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.