From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Inquirer Community Voices Activism writeup 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 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.