Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 23:18:06 -0400 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Washington Post Dr. Laura letter June 13, 2000 The Washington Post 1150 15th Street NW Washington, DC 20071 Dear Editors: In his June 9 column about bigotry and Dr. Laura, William Rasberry asked, `...what do we call the people who find sport in gay-bashing or the ones who brutally beat Matthew Shepard to death?' The answer is: we call them criminals. Bigotry in and of itself isn't a crime. It is a state of mind that exists in both criminals and non-criminals, though it is a state of mind that can both encourage and escalate crime. Yes, bigotry is `easy.' It's something that we all need to work to overcome in ourselves, and to confront in others, especially when it occurs in and is regularly expressed by individuals with access to multiple national media outlets. Sincerely, Barbara Lamond Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter was sent on IWG letterhead listing 20 congregations and religious organizations and 66 clergy from 16 religious traditions. For more letters visit http://www.iwgonline.org/letters/ -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829