Date: Thu, 28 Dec 1995 23:47:13 -0500 (EST) From: Chris Purdom Subject: IWG Catholic Alliance USA Today Letter The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 2 congregations, 4 religious organizations and 20 clergy from 9 denominations. If you are in the general Philadelphia area and represent a congregation or religious organization or are clergy, let us know if you want to be added - all faiths are welcome. We will also be happy to help start similar organizations in other areas. Visit the web page at http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/religion/orgs/iwg/. December 19, 1995 USA Today 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington,VA 22229 Dear Editors: George Weigel's guest editorial about the Catholic Alliance was a fascinating exercise in juxtaposing ideas to create the illusion that they are related. First, he incorrectly treats "Evangelical Protestants" and "Christian Coalition" as synonyms. The Christian Coalition may claim to represent all evangelicals, but from Evangelicals Concerned to the signers of "The Cry For Renewal," there are many e- vangelical groups opposing the Christian Coalition. Second, the "Evangelicals and Catholics Together" document which he cites as a precursor to the Catholic Alliance may have been signed by Catholic leaders, but the Catholic Alliance is not supported by the Catholic leadership. The Interfaith Alliance, which opposes the Christian Coalition, does have official Catholic representation. The Radical Religious Right has already demonstrated through their positions on equal rights for sexual minorities, reproductive freedom, and the separation of church and state (which goes far beyond the presence of religious symbols and moral arguments in public life) that organizations like the Christian Coalition, Focus On the Family, the Traditional Values Coaliton, and Concerned Women for America are a threat to American pluralism and democracy. Recent surveys have consistently shown that most members of the Catholic laity (and most Evangelicals) are more liberal than their leadership concerning these issues. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators