From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Orlando Religious Liberty Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 23:39:14 -0400 (EDT) August 18, 1998 Orlando Sentinel 633 N. Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32801 Dear Editors: Dawn Meeks' letter of August 12 ignores the reality of religious diversity in this country, especially the diversity of views about sin and truth. If we were to classify every issue which any person of faith considers a sin as non-political there would be almost no topic left that would be deemed appropriate for our elected officials to debate. We would certainly have nothing resembling religious liberty. We should decide public policy questions on their own merits and omit from the political arena attempts to debate sin and truth. Every person of faith has the right to determine their own truth (or to follow their religion's teachings) about issues like sexual orientation, and to choose, within the limits of the law, how to react to people who are different from them. Many people of faith, for example, have decided to let sexual minorities know that they and their families of choice are as loved and accepted as anybody else. 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.