Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 23:42:28 -0400 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Rutland VT Marriage Letter April 15, 2000 Rutland Herald Box 668 Rutland, VT 05702 Dear Editors: We have been generally disturbed by many of the anti-equality, anti-marriage letters in your paper recently, but we were especially bothered by those that appeared on April 13. Denis White, Edward Herald, and L.G. Whitaker seem to not know or not care that a rapidly growing and diverse collection of religious institutions already bless the relationships of same-sex couples, or that there are a wide variety of beliefs within Christianity or even that there are many religions other than Christianity. Mixed-gender couples with different belief systems are allowed (and rightly so) to participate in civil marriage. Religious institutions are allowed (and rightly so) to celebrate and bless any person or persons they choose. The existing injustice, which the Supreme Court and the legislature are attempting to correct is that same-gender couples should be allowed, but are not allowed, to participate in civil marriage. 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. Visit our Religious Support for Equal Marriage Rights page: http://www.iwgonline.org/marriage/ -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829