From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Philadelphia Daily News Church/State Life Partner Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 00:10:48 -0400 (EDT) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 12 congregations and organizations and 56 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. April 24, 1998 Philadelphia Daily News PO Box 7788 Phila., PA 19101 Dear Editors: Thank you very much for April 24 editorial, which reinforced and beautifully illuminated our purpose in getting so many clergy and religious organizations to testify before City Council about why they support passage of the Life Partnership bills. With or without a clear consensus in the religious community, City Council should not be voting for legislation based on any criteria other than the principles of the United States Constitution. As we concluded in our official statement regarding this debate, which has now been endorsed by eight religious organizations, eight congregations, and seventy-seven individual clergy from sixteen religious traditions: "The Mayor and City Council are charged with doing what is best for the health and welfare of all people in Philadelphia, not forcing the religious tenets of some city residents on all her citizens." 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.