Subject: IWG Inquirer Voucher Letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 31 May 1998 22:46:19 +2000 (EDT)

The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 15 congregations and
organizations and 58 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.

May 30, 1998

The Philadelphia Inquirer
PO Box 8263
Phila., PA 19101

Dear Editors:

Cardinal Bevilaqua's request that the city pay for
religious instruction is both unconstitutional and bad
policy. The United States Constitution's prohibition
against the establishment of a religion by Congress,
and later, by extension, to the states, has been
interpreted to preclude the establishment of state-
funded religious schools.  The Pennsylvania
Constitution explicitly forbids using taxpayer money
for sectarian schools.  Using parents as intermediaries
(so that the city gives money to parents for the sole
purpose of paying the school) does not make the scheme
any less illegal.  Church/state separation is not an
arcane concept; it is what guarantees our religious
freedom by keeping the government from exercising
control over religious practice, preventing people from
being coerced into religious practices with which they
do not agree, and guaranteeing that taxpayers do not
have to fund religious institutions that do not reflect
their beliefs or values.  

If the city offers religious schools as an official
alternative to overcrowding and supposedly poor
performance, it could take one of two approaches:  The
city could implicitly endorse the theology of those
schools, aid in religious coercion, and exercise no
control over what is taught.  Or the city would have to
bring its power to bear on a religious institution. 
Neither approach is desirable, or constitutional.    

Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

-- 

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.