From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Phila. Inquirer letter Abortion/Catholics/Church/State Date: Sat, 24 Jan 1998 23:32:39 -0500 (EST) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 12 congregations and organizations and 54 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. January 25, 1998 The Philadelphia Inquirer PO Box 8263 Phila., PA 19101 Dear Editors: We have greatly appreciated the Living Religion section since its inception, especially in its successes in demonstrating the diversity of religious opinion on social issues. The January 25 debate between Theresa and Kevin Burke and Catholics for Free Choice president Frances Kissling was an especially enlightening look at the theological disagreements among Catholics over abortion. However, while the introductory paragraph noted the opposition to abortion voiced by other religious groups, there was no notice taken of the denominations which officially support a woman's right to choose. In addition, the article said that only 12% of Catholics agree with the Church's stance that abortion should be illegal in all circumstances. That is a far different question than whether an individual believes that abortion is a moral option, which is what Ms. Kissling and the Burkes were debating. The only obvious conclusions one can reach from the 12% figure is that 88% of Catholics believe that in some circumstances the state has no business interfering with a woman's decision to have an abortion, and/or that in the United States no religious body should be setting law on the basis of theology, and should have no power over any individual beyond the threat of excommunication. 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.