Subject: IWG US News Religious Right/Democracy letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 1 Aug 1998 22:51:55 -0400 (EDT)

August 1, 1998

U. S. News
2400 N St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20037-1196

Dear Editors:

Michael J. Gerson's conclusion that the religious right
is "more interested in forcing debate on eternal
questions than in building majorities for political
change" is based on the false assumption that an actual
majority is required to achieve change in a society
where most people are not politically active.  That
political organizations and elected officials are
debating theology instead of constitutionality is
unfortunate proof that the religious right has achieved
political change.  Fortunately, people from many
religious traditions who support a more inclusive
vision for America are speaking out more and more to
share that vision, so that political organizations are
not forced to "debate with the Holy Spirit."  But
ultimately, a democratic Constitutional system is only
as strong as the willingness of its citizens to
participate in the political process.

Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 16 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.