From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Southern Baptist Story on ABC Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 23:33:57 -0500 (EST) February 2, 1999 David Westin ABC News President Fax: 212-456-6200 Dear Mr. Westin: We were disturbed by your February 1 evening news coverage of the Southern Baptist Convention's new Sunday School curriculum in regard to homosexuality. There are a number of ways that a more balanced story could have been accomplished. Since the new curriculum includes theological, scientific, moral, and ethical aspects, scientists, theologians or clergy with a different point of view could have been interviewed. There are also several denominations with very strong stands in favor of sexual minorities; the Convention's actions could have been contrasted with the recent pastoral letter from United Church of Christ President, the Rev. Paul Sherry titled "Now, No Condemnation, The Rights of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Persons in Society and their Membership and Ministry in the Church." There are also many denominations struggling with policies about sexual minorities; you could have interviewed participants in the recent United Methodist same-sex union ceremony in Sacramento co- officiated by almost one hundred fifty clergy in defiance of church policy. Since Southern Baptists are not completely unified on this topic, gay, lesbian, or bisexual Southern Baptists could have been interviewed, or members of Southern Baptist congregations that have made pro-gay policy decisions. And finally, someone from PFLAG could have been interviewed about the effects of such teachings on children in conservative churches. Any of these small improvements would have made a huge difference in a story that otherwise simply repeated the Southern Baptist Convention's language and worldview without any challenge, and strongly implied that the only negative reaction to the curriculum was from individual sexual minorities with no obvious connection to the denomination or even organized religion in general. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 17 congregations and organizations and 61 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. From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: ABC letter correction Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999 11:38:42 -0500 (EST) THe ABC letter I sent out yesterday will be mailed to ABC, Inc. 77 West 66th Street New York, NY 10023 The fax number listed appears to be non-operational. Sorry for the confusion. -Chris Purdom, Cocoordinator, -- 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.