Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 11:11:43 -0400 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Boston Herald Marriage Letter October 21, 1999 The Boston Herald 1 Herald Square Boston, MA 02106-2096 Dear Editors: You would never know it from reading Don Feder, but there is extensive religious support for equal marriage rights in this country (only religious marriage is now available to same-gender couples). Even if there weren't any support in the religious community, civil and religious marriage are two different institutions. The limits of civil marriage are governed by state laws, upon which some limits are in turn set by the United States Constitution, but not by Feder's interpretation of the Bible. The reasons religious organizations support equal rights for same-gender couples are varied. But it is fair to say that most see it as a matter of love, justice, basic fairness, and civil rights; and many agree that legal recognition of same-gender marriage would make very positive moral and social points--that we as a people value committed, caring relationships and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation or religion. 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. Visit our Religious Support for Equal Marriage Rights page: http://www.iwgonline.org/marriage/ -- Interfaith Working Group http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829