Announcing religion@critpath.org This list is a project of the Interfaith Working Group. It is for information which will help the advancement of queer-friendly religion in North America - 1) ways to advance equality for sexual minorities within the religious community 2) ways to publicize the existence of queer friendly religious organizations to the general public in order to counter the message of the Radical Religious Right and 3) ways to publicize the existence of queer-friendly religious organizations to those in the LGBT community. We hope, through this list, to extend the model of the Interfaith Working Group into other parts of North America, to bring existing groups with similar models into contact with each other, and to bring individuals into contact with those groups. A national network of such organizations is the best chance we have for counteracting the message of the Radical Religious Right and bringing change within existing religious organizations. Postings we encourage 1) Introductions from new list members 2) Notices about new informational materials - pro and con - that discuss issues relating to sexual orientation and religion - books, movies, URLs, newspaper articles, you name it. If you want to forward whole articles from news clipping services, go ahead. 3) Alerts regarding TV shows, periodicals, or statements by government or school officials relating to the topic at hand that require an immediate response. 4) Notice of events at which religious participation would send a strong message For local events, please note the location in the subject line. If a separate local list exists, please use it instead. 5) Copies of letters to politicians and the media which you have sent on related topics. Postings we will actively discourage: 1) debates about the relative value of individual religions 2) debates about the general wisdom of pushing this message 3) theological arguments 4) personal conversations 5) insults or harassment against other list members 6) unsolicited evangelism of other list members 7) terminology debates (queer vs. gay vs. sexual minority vs. LGBT etc) 8) discussion of unrelated topics. If you see material on this list which you disagree with, keep the disagreement to yourself. Nobody is forcing you to use any of the information you receive and we are in favor of the free flow of information. If you see factual errors, which you can document, feel free to correct them. Differences in interpretation of scripture or language are NOT the same as factual errors. If you wish to post alternative interpretations, do so, but not in the form of an argument. If you can't explain to yourself how a post is related to the topic, don't send it. If it takes some explaining, explain it as part of the post. If you find yourself having to explain every post, something's wrong. Participation in this list is in itself a form of evangelism, because you will be setting a good example and endearing yourself to others. If other list members become interested enough to want to know more about you, feel free to discuss belief systems with them off line. People engaging in minor infractions will receive a warning. Major infractions or repeated warnings will result in expulsion. This list will remain civil. The volume level may be too much for some people as is. Extra garbage will make it ineffective and will not be tolerated. If you receive harassing email as a result of participation on this list, please let the list owner know immediately, but do not be surprised if it happens. We have no fool-proof method for screening initial subscriptions. To subscribe to this list, send the message subscribe religion your_first_name your_last_name to religion-request@critpath.org To conceal your presence on this list, send the message set religion conceal yes to religion-request@critpath.org To see copies of the messages you send, send the message set religion mail ack to religion-request@critpath.org To unsubscribe from this list, send the message unsubscribe religion to religion-request@critpath.org For help, send the message help to religion-request@critpath.org To post to the list, send your message to religion@critpath.org If you need more help after that, send email to purdom@critpath.org, or iwg@libertynet.org.