Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 01:18:02 -0500 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Charolette Respect Letter November 10, 1999 The Charlotte Observer PO Box 2138 Charlotte, NC 28233 Dear Editors: Donna Mauney raised an interesting point about crime statistics in her November 1 letter. Police departments classify incidents according to existing crimes. In states without separate classifications of harassment or intimidation on the basis of orientation there are no official statistics which can be used to justify the creation of a separate criminal statute. Keeping such statistics is left to interested organizations which can then easily be accused of bias and dismissed by those who do not want official recognition for sexual minorities. The same difficulty is reflected in Mauney's call for teaching "the sanctity of life and respect for all God's children" rather than condoning "the homosexual lifestyle." Treating people with respect requires some knowledge of the people you are interacting with. It is not, for instance, generally respectful to use the phrase "homosexual lifestyle" when discussing the very diverse group of individuals who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual. 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. You can read our newsletter online: http://www.iwgonline.org/ktf/ -- Interfaith Working Group http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829