Date: Wed, 09 Feb 2000 00:42:54 -0500 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Austin TX Marriage Discrimination Letter February 3, 2000 Austin American-Statesman 305 S. Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78767 Dear Editors: Current disagreements over gender, sexual orientation and marriage in Christian churches are no more fundamental or contentious than any of the other religious debates that have led to almost-constant schisms, mergers, and reformations in the last two-thousand years, especially in this country. Fortunately we have constitutional guarantees of religious liberty and free speech. Everyone, including Marvin Olasky (commentary, February 2) can interpret whatever scriptures they use in whatever way they want, share that interpretation with others, and identify themselves as Christians, or Jews, or Ethicists, Unitarian Universalists, or any other name they choose, depending on their religious beliefs. Contrary to Olasky’s caricaturish descriptions, religious institutions and individuals of all traditions that bless same-gender couples and ordain sexual minorities do so on the basis of their understanding of what is right and good. Sincerely, Barbara Lamond Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter was sent on IWG letterhead listing 19 congregations and religious organizations and 64 clergy from 16 religious traditions. Visit our Religious Support for Equal Marriage Rights page: http://www.iwgonline.org/marriage/ -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829