Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 23:10:00 -0400 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Battle Creek Michigan Orientation/Religion/Civil Rights letter April 10, 2000 Battle Creek Enquirer 155 W. Van Buren St. Battle Creek, MI 49017 Dear Editors: In April 4 letter, David Blaskie says that Christianity and Judaism `condemn homosexuality.' Christianity and Judaism are not monolithic entities and do not have opinions. The Central Conference of American Rabbis voted in March that `the relationship of a Jewish, same gender couple is worthy of affirmation through appropriate Jewish ritual.' Reform and Reconstructionist Jews now support civil marriage for same-gender couples, ordain sexual minority rabbis, and bless same-gender relationships. The United Church of Christ, the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Christian Churches, and the Unity Fellowship Churches have led the way among Christian denominations in welcoming and affirming sexual minorities. In August, Witness Our Welcome 2000 will bring together congregations that are welcoming to sexual minorities from ten Christian denominations. As for Blaskie's complaint about comparisons between the gay rights movement and the civil rights movement, Coretta Scott King has endorsed the same-gender marriage resolution, and the Rev. James Lawson and the Rev. Bob Graetz, both major figures in the civil rights movement, will be working with Rev. Mel White's group, Soulforce, in Cleveland during the United Methodist Church General Assembly in May `organizing and training people of faith to seek justice for God's GLBT children.' Sincerely, Barbara Lamond Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829