Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 22:46:24 -0400 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Inquirer/Scout letter June 29, 2000 The Philadelphia Inquirer PO Box 8263 Philadelphia, PA 19101 Dear Editors: Your extensive front-page coverage of the Supreme Court decision in Dale v. Boy Scouts of America completely failed to mention the religious support for Mr. Dale, which included a brief filed by the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ Board for Homeland Ministries, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, the Diocesan Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, and the Unitarian Universalist Association. On the day the decision was announced, the UMC General Board of Church and Society issued a statement saying: “The United Methodist Church, the largest single supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, strongly condemns discrimination based on sexual orientation. While [the General Board] would like to enthusiastically affirm and encourage this continuing partnership of the church and scouting, we cannot due to the Boy Scouts of America’s discrimination against gays.” Sincerely, Barbara Lamond Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter was sent on IWG letterhead listing 21 congregations and religious organizations and 65 clergy from 16 religious traditions. You can read our newsletter online: http://www.iwgonline.org/ktf/ -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829