Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2000 23:38:07 -0400 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Lansing MI Galatians Letter June 5, 2000 Lansing State Journal 120 E. Lenawee St. Lansing, MI 48919 Dear Editors: After reading Gary Mitchell's May 31 letter, we looked through five translations of the Bible trying to find a direct reference to same-gender sexual behavior in Galatians 5:19-21, since there wasn't one in the translation that he quoted. The passage in question condemns many things, some sexual (the Jerusalem Bible includes `fornication' and `sexual irresponsibility'), but no translation we have includes same-gender sexual relations. He may sincerely believe the passage in question is `clear and unequivocal' in condemnation of homosexuality, but there are a growing number of Christians who support equal rights for gay, lesbian, and bisexual people specifically because of what they read in the Bible. 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 65 clergy from 16 religious traditions. Would you like to start an Interfaith Working Group in your area? http://www.iwgonline.org/regions/ -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829