From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Inquirer Religious Respect letter Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 00:13:14 -0500 (EST) January 18, 1999 The Philadelphia Inquirer PO Box 8263 Phila., PA 19101 Dear Editors: We were astounded that David Boldt wrote about both the problem of religion not getting enough respect and the benefits of religious participation in a column that contained insults to two religious traditions. Not for the first time, he implied that Unitarian-Universalism (from which he has "fallen away") is somehow the "lowest" of religions, and he quoted a speaker who referred to the Episcopalian denomination as a "watered down" form of Christianity. If Boldt really takes religion seriously and wants to encourage respect and participation, he should respect everyone's religious choices. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 16 congregations and organizations and 60 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.