From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Cleveland Marriage Letter Date: Sun, 25 Jul 1999 23:53:44 -0400 (EDT) July 24, 1999 Cleveland Plain Dealer 1801 Superior Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44114 Dear Editors: Thank you for Brian E. Albrecht's excellent July 18 marriage articles. It is very rare to see coverage that clearly separates religious and civil marriage, that includes religious people and organizations that support same-gender marriage, and which seems to fairly represent the positions of people on both sides of the issue. However, at one point, Albrecht wrote: "None of the major Christian denominations or Judaism recognizes same-sex marriages," which is not true. Reconstructionist Judaism recognizes same-gender marriages, and while Reform Judaism's Central Conference of American Rabbis does not officially recognize same-gender marriages, they have no rule against individual rabbis performing the ceremonies. The Quakers leave marriage policy up to congregations, and individual Friends' meetings perform same-gender marriages. We also agree with Robert Knight that it is an issue which involves, "religious liberty, freedom of speech, freedom of association and how we view ourselves as human beings." Inasmuch there are many different religious definitions of marriage, it is a violation of religious liberty to impose any one religious definition on everyone. Opponents frequently say that same-gender relationships should not be called "marriage," which is an attempt to restrict free speech. Civil marriage is society's primary mechanism for legally binding, recognizing, and protecting the association of two consenting adults; denying that recognition threatens free association by officially discouraging long-term same-gender relationships. And we hope that we all think of ourselves as loving, compassionate and just human beings who value the nature and quality of our relationships rather than worrying about and discriminating against people in other relationships on the basis of their gender. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 17 congregations and organizations and 67 clergy from 15 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