From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Response to David Gelenter Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 23:13:38 -0400 (EDT) August 16, 1998 Wall Street Journal 200 Liberty St. New York, NY 10281 Dear Editors: David Gelenter's deep confusion about religious diversity was evidenced by his repeated use of the phrase "traditional Jews and Christians" in his August 13 commentary. In his world view, "traditional Jews and Christians" are apparently only those who agree with him about sexual morality. But this phrase completely ignores the incredible number of disagreements, splits, realignments, and fundamental changes in theology that have occurred in Christianity and Judaism, resulting in hundreds of denominations, sects, and movements, many with a wide range of theological viewpoints even within themselves. There is a broad social movement for recognition of equal legal rights for sexual minorities, and a corresponding movement within many religious traditions for gender-neutral moral and ethical systems. Gelenter seriously mischaracterizes those involved in this new civil rights struggle by labeling them members of the "cultural elite" (a well-known technologist, author, and contributor to the Wall Street Journal, he does not consider himself a member of the cultural elite); he claims that all people who support full equality for sexual minorities share a single theology; and he compares the movement to the Protestant Reformation rather than any of the many more recent movements and debates that have reshaped the American religious and cultural landscape. It is completely false to say that asking those who agree with Gelenter not to discriminate against sexual minorities is like asking them to venerate idols. It is like asking them not to discriminate against those who do venerate idols. We are all entitled to express our religious beliefs publicly without fear of legal recrimination and with a reasonable expectation that we will not be systematically chastised for it. These protections apply equally to those who share Gelenter's beliefs and those who do not. Similarly, those who support equality for sexual minorities hold that sexual minorities should be able to state their sexual orientation, celebrate their affections, and make their partners publicly known, to exactly the same degree as those who share Gelenter's beliefs and his orientation. 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 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.