Subject: IWG Bergen County Scouts Letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1999 22:09:06 -0400 (EDT)

August 10, 1999

Bergen Record
150 River Street
Hackensack, NJ 07602

Dear Editors:

In Paul Rogers' August 5 article regarding reactions
to the New Jersey Supreme Court's decision
overturning the discriminatory practices of the Boy
Scouts of America, he said, "the Scouts do not allow
leaders to talk about sex or religion, and
scoutmasters can be ousted if they do. The Scout code
requires leaders to refer youngsters to their parents
when asked about these issues."  This is a very
sensible and non-nondiscriminatory policy for an
organization with a culturally-diverse clientele, but
how can the Boy Scouts claim to be a religious
organization, or an organization that imparts
religious values, if those running it cannot discuss
religion with the scouts?   

Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 17 congregations and
organizations and 65 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
http://www.libertynet.org/iwg           and clergy supporting gay rights,
[email-masked]                      reproductive freedom, and the 
voice: 215-235-3050  fax: 232-0829      separation of church and state.

Support our work: wear an IWG shirt! http://www.libertynet.org/iwg/clothes.html