Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 23:12:01 -0500 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Chicago Tribune Vermont letter December 26, 1999 Chicago Tribune 435 N. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60611 Dear Editors: Your December 23 editorial reacting to the Vermont Supreme Court marriage decision completely misrepresented the religious aspects of marriage and their relationship to this case. It is not true that only “gay and lesbian activists” believe equal civil marriage rights are a legal necessity. As for religious marriage (and we are very surprised you would get this wrong, with your proximity to Rev. Greg Dell’s case in the United Methodist Church) many religious institutions--locally and nationally--already bless the relationships of same-gender couples, and in some religious traditions (including the United Methodist Church) there are currently national disagreements over clergy (such as Rev. Dell) who have performed these blessings. That these ceremonies are being held in so many traditions disproves your assertion that “matrimony is regarded as an essentially heterosexual institution, created and ritualized by all civilizations and religious traditions to enshrine the process of begetting and raising children, even if in some cases none are conceived.” That may be true in most religious traditions, but majority religious beliefs never justify unequal treatment of minorities. Civil marriage creates a legal relationship between two otherwise unrelated consenting adults of different genders, regardless of their races or religions, and regardless of others’ racial and religious sensibilities and prejudices. It makes no difference whether your proposal for a massive new legal category for same-gender relationships (rather than just removing gender from marriage laws) is based on a “value judgment” or is reinforcing the beliefs of some religious traditions. The government has no business doing either. It does have a responsibility to treat all families equally under the law. 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 62 clergy from 16 religious traditions. Visit our Religious Support for Equal Marriage Rights page: http://www.iwgonline.org/marriage/ -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829