Subject: IWG USA Today Scouts letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 1999 23:37:21 -0400 (EDT)

August 9, 1999

USA Today
1000 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA  22229

Dear Editors:

Thank you for your editorial in favor of the New
Jersey Supreme Court decision concerning the Boy
Scouts of America.  The issue of whether the Boy
Scouts functions as a public accommodation was
crucial in this case.  Those who favor public funding
of religious schools and religious institutions
running government programs should take note: when
you are entangled with the public sector you are
subject to public oversight.  

Larry P. Arnn's opposing viewpoint was ridiculous. 
We support the right of private and religious
organizations to set their own standards for
membership (although we strongly encourage them not
to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or
identity).  Nobody has suggested public oversight of
church membership or denied freedom of association. 
The Boy Scouts do not claim to be a church, but they
do claim that because they are supported by churches
they must discriminate against sexual minorities,
even though more and more religious institutions are
moving away from a view that same-gender
relationships are inherently sinful.   They should
either decide to function like a true private
religious organization, or else they should end their
discriminatory practices. 

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 16 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.

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