Date: Sun, 07 Nov 1999 23:02:13 -0500 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG American School Board Journal letter November 5, 1999 American School Board Journal 1680 Duke St. Alexandria, VA 22314 Dear Editors: Thank you for your honest, balanced, and mostly thorough story about the need to protect sexual minority students, and the difficulties that a school board can encounter when attempting to perform what we believe is a moral duty. We do, however, have two complaints: While Lou Sheldon is a very good choice for representing those who oppose equal rights for sexual minorities, we felt that the article gave the unfortunate and extremely inaccurate impression that his views were typical of people of faith in general. And while public opinion obviously matters to elected officials, we live in a country which is governed by a Constitution that guarantees separation of church and state; theological arguments, pro or con, should have no place in determining public school policy. Sincerely, Barbara Lamond Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter was sent on IWG letterhead listing 17 congregations and religious organizations and 63 clergy from 16 religious traditions. Sexual orientation, gender identity, reproductive freedom, church/state separation, diversity, and radical religious right links: http://www.iwgonline.org/links/ -- Interfaith Working Group http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829