Subject: IWG NY Times - Religious Conformity (church/state)
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 20 Jun 1999 23:13:16 -0400 (EDT)

June 19, 1999

The New York Times
229 W. 43rd St.
New York,  NY 10036

Dear Editors:

In his school prayer opinion piece, Michael Novak's
points about religious diversity are a compelling
argument against the majority in the House of
Representatives who seem to feel the need for an
appearance of religious conformity and unity at the
expense of religious liberty.  The notion that
putting up government-mandated signs saying, "Thou
shalt have no other Gods before me," in government
buildings will somehow reduce societal conflict is as
ridiculous as Novak's arguing that a lack of
organized prayer in the schools is forcing a
worldview on students; or that we as a nation in
which thousands of religious traditions are
represented will be able to peacefully pick one
official prayer (or  two-hundred) which we'd all be
comfortable with, despite the riots, lawsuits, and
abuse of religious minorities historically
accompanying official religious observances.  

Novak is correct that organized school prayer is a
manageable problem; we are managing just fine without
it.  Let's celebrate the fact that we live in a
country where, officially at least, we can worship or
not as we see fit without government hindrance or
assistance.

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 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,
[email-masked]                      reproductive freedom, and the 
voice: 215-235-3050  fax: 232-0829      separation of church and state.