Subject: IWG Inquirer Community Voices Activism writeup
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 23:51:42 -0400 (EDT)

Community Voices/Activism
The Philadelphia Inquirer
PO Box 8263
Phila., PA 19101

Finding A Voice for Religious Diversity
Barbara and Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

Several years ago, we were annoyed by coverage of both
the City Council Domestic Partnership debates and the
attempted blockades of family planning clinics.  There
was clergy on both sides of both issues; yet every
media outlet in Philadelphia emphasized the religious
beliefs of the clinic protesters and Domestic
Partnership opponents, ignoring the religious
motivation of the clinic defenders or Domestic
Partnership supporters.  The local media also refused
to cover religious groups in the Diversity of Pride
Parade; we watched television crews turn off their
cameras whenever religious groups walked by.   

This kind of coverage is problematic because: it is
inaccurate; it causes anti-religious sentiment among
some segments of society; it turns public policy
debates into theological debates; and it fosters a
disregard for the religious diversity in this country,
undermining an understanding of the necessity of
religious liberty.  Many local and national groups are
dedicated to perpetuating the myth that all people of
faith oppose gay rights, reproductive freedom, and
separation of church and state; but there was no
cohesive voice for religious organizations,
congregations and clergy supporting those issues.  

In March 1995, we organized the Interfaith Working
Group to educate the public about the diversity of
religious opinion on social issues.  We have a web
site, email list, and free monthly newsletter.  We hold
press conferences and educational events, and encourage
progressive religious people to speak out.  We write
scores of letters each year to media outlets here and
around the country (our letters have been in 35
publications).  We are a resource for many editors and
reporters, finding subjects for interviews and stories. 
We have spoken at churches, synagogues and conferences 
Our supporting congregations, religious organizations
and clergy have gone from 10 to 75.  While there are
still problems, coverage of the issues has steadily
improved. 

The above response to a request from the Inquirer for 300 word stories
of Philadelphia-area activists 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.