Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 23:55:12 -0500 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG USA Today Vermont letter December 26, 1999 USA Today Fax 703-247-3108 Dear Editors: Your December 23 editorial about the Vermont Supreme Court decision was less insulting but in the end not much better than Beverly LaHaye’s so-called “Opposing View,” especially since there was a strong implication that true equal marriage rights might be construed as “traditional marriage” being “slapped in the face.” Civil marriage creates a federally-recognized legal relationship between two otherwise unrelated consenting adults of different genders, regardless of their races or religions, and regardless of society’s racial and religious sensibilities and prejudices. Many individuals and religious institutions, on the basis of “sincere and compassionate beliefs” define marriage in such a way that it does not include gender. Removing gender discrimination from civil marriage would not create a society with “no limits” as LeHaye claims, nor would it force individuals or religious institution to change their own definitions of marriage. All it would do is create a society where all families are equal under the law. 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. For sexual orientation, gender identity, reproductive freedom, church/state separation, diversity, and radical religious right links go to http://www.iwgonline.org/links/ -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829