Subject: IWG ACTUAL St. Paul letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 00:39:03 -0400 (EDT)

The previously emailed copy of this letter was not the mailed version:

July 4, 1998

St. Paul Pioneer Press
345 Cedar Street
St. Paul,  MN  55101

Dear Editors:

Your piece on homosexuality and morality (June 24)
ultimately missed the point.  While the origin of an
individual's sexual orientation is not yet decided, in
the end it does not matter whether it is a choice or an
inborn attribute.  The cause of religious belief has
been just as debated, but is much less controversial. 
What one chooses to believe and how one lives that
belief, especially in a religiously free country like
the United States, is up to each individual.   This
fact is related to the question at hand for two
reasons:  

First, there is much debate among people of faith and
others who use the word "moral" a great deal, over the
spiritual and ethical nature of sexual orientation. 
The notion that there is something inherently wrong
with those who are not heterosexual is rapidly losing
its once-monolithic popularity, hence making that
notion much more difficult to defend as an automatic
presupposition.

Second, we have succeeded as a religiously diverse
nation for some time.  Individuals and organizations
may freely promote any combination of religions or no
religion at all, and may practice their religion
freely.  The government does not promote  any religion,
and treats all religions equally. Similarly, outlawing
discrimination on the basis of orientation and removing
gender discrimination in marriage does not constitute
"promotion of homosexuality;" it constitutes "equal
treatment under the law."

Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

The above letter 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.

-- 

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.

Celebrating Religious Liberty and Defending Democracy
Rev. Barry Lynn, Americans United for Separation of Church and State;
Jerry Mondesire, NAACP * Larry Frankel, ACLU * Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell
Thursday, July 9, 7:30 pm, First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, 2125 Chestnut
http://www.libertynet.org/iwg/special.html