From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Chattanooga Boy Scouts Letter Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 23:39:09 -0400 (EDT) August 10, 1999 Chattanooga Free Press Box 1447 Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447 Dear Editors: We strongly object to the notion that discriminating against sexual minorities constitutes standing up for a high moral standard (editorial, August 6). It is a very different standard than New Jersey law, which holds that public accommodations may not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. And it is a different standard than many houses of worship hold, including some congregations sponsoring Boy Scout troops. Private religious organizations are free to set whatever moral standards they want, but if the Scouts are going to operate as a public accommodation, then they ought to abide by all of the rules governing public accommodations. And if they’re going to get support from a broad base of religious institutions, they need to recognize that more and more people in the religious community do not believe the phrase "morally straight" has anything at all to do with sexual orientation. 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, iwg@libertynet.org 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