From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Star-Tribune - interpreting vs. Quoting Date: Sun, 6 Dec 1998 23:28:31 -0500 (EST) December 5, 1998 Star Tribune 425 Portland Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55408 Dear Editors: We were impressed by Frank Reilly's analysis of the disagreements in the Roman Catholic Church over homosexuality. His analysis could have been applied with very little modification to many of the Protestant denominations. However, we objected to the implication that those who do not believe homosexual acts are inherently immoral are "interpreting" scripture, while those who do believe that all homosexual acts are immoral are "quoting" scripture. Much of the Bible, in fact, requires interpretation for understanding. In particular, the passages that are usually used to condemn sexual minorities are not especially clear, and to claim that they are universally anti-gay does require interpretation. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 16 congregations and organizations and 60 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 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.