Subject: IWG Ventura CA Religion and Orientation
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 23:21:05 -0400 (EDT)

September 5, 1998

Editor's Letters
The Ventura County Star
PO Box 6711
Ventura, CA 93006

Dear Editors:

Thank you for Tom Kisken's article about the religious
debate over sexual orientation, especially for the
focus on some of the individuals involved.  The Rev.
Jim Harmeling is right, religious institutions have
followed instead of leading.  They should have been
setting an example of openness, acceptance,
affirmation, love, and justice.  Most of them, instead,
have gone along with the dominant culture's
heterosexism and homophobia.  It's no wonder that
Philip Schwartz thinks that heterosexual society does
not accept the notion that someone can be gay and
Christian.  But there is hope.  There are heterosexuals
who see no inherent conflict between faith and
orientation, and there are congregations that do not
"live in the shadows," but boldly proclaim their
support for the ordination of sexual minorities and the
blessing of their committed relationships.

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.