Subject: IWG: Matthew Shepard, NY Times
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1998 19:19:10 -0400 (EDT)

October 14, 1998

The New York Times
229 W. 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036

Dear Editors:

Thank you for your editorial following the death of
Matthew Shepard. The difference between crimes
inspired by hate and other crimes is that they are
aimed not just at the individual who suffers
directly, but at everyone who shares the
characteristic that inspired the attack.  Crimes
like this influence others to imitate them and serve
by reference as a weapon of intimidation.  

Not only is Matthew Shepard no longer with us, but
millions of people are frightened and/or angry.   We
are especially upset by the comments of Steven
Schwalm and John Paulk.  Is Mr. Schwalm suggesting
that beating someone to death, or encouraging
someone else to do so is a "pro-family belief"?  Was
the beating "a disagreement with the political
message of homosexual activists?"  John Paulk
condemns violence, but qualifies that condemnation
by saying that sexual minorities are advocating an
"agenda contrary to Biblical norms."   These kinds
of statements contribute to an environment in which
sexual minorities are viewed as condemned by all
religious institutions, a threat to society without
any support in the society at large, and undeserving
of equal treatment under the law.  The truth is that
people of faith from many religious traditions
support full legal and religious recognition of the
equality of sexual minorities and their families.	

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.