Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 00:06:04 -0500 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG St. Louis Dispatch marriage letter December 26, 1999 St. Louis Post-Dispatch 900 N. Tucker Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63101 Dear Editors: Thank you very much for your pro-marriage editorial of December 23. However, the headline “equality is inevitable” was not quite right. Governments have no power to determine human equality, they can merely decide whether to recognize that equality, and treat everyone equally under the law. As proponents of church-state separation we were pleased that you noted the important distinction between secular and religious objections to equal marriage rights, since religious arguments should never be the deciding factor in civil law. But it is important to note that many people who support equal marriage rights also do so on “deeply held religious grounds.” 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. Commentaries from clergy can be read at http://www.iwgonline.org/pulpit/ -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829