It seems appropriate to begin this anthology with an examination of "Homophile Ethics," by Dr. Thomas M. Merritt, Dean Emeritus of ONE Institute. With serene maturity coming from a lifetime of professional work in philosophy and education, Dr. Merritt has summarized some of the eternal questions of value and standards with which religions are so deeply concerned.

James Kepner's "World Religions and the Homophile" offers a penetrating analysis of religious questions which perturb many thinking homophiles. Equally inquiring is the Crowther article, "Religion: Real and Counterfeit." James Barr's (author of QUATREFOIL, DERRICKS, GAME OF FOOLS) "On Organized Religion" is the protest of a literary man against the Church as he sees it. More critical still is "If One Needs Religion," by Allen Windsor.

"God and a Homosexual," by Arthur B. Krell (pseudonym for the author of several books on religious topics) presents the viewpoint of a homophile who feels he does need religion. But, "What is Religion," asks D. B. Vest (pseudonym for a well-known British philosopher).

"A Minister & His Conscience" describes the position taken by a UnitarianUniversalist on some homophile questions. "Thorn in the Spirit" analyzes the built-in dichotomy which pervades much of Christian thinking. "To God" is a homophile psalm, followed by "A Bold Study," a news report on the Church of England's study of religion and homosexuality, then in progress.

The Lyn Pedersen "EDITORIAL" summarizes religious news which had accumulated by a later date than the preceding item. The Rev. Wood's "Rahab, Harlot of Jericho" is a Congregationalist's short sermon on a Biblical text, while the following OPEN LETTER is the sincerely heartfelt plea of a Canadian theological student.

"Guilt & The Homosexual" by two priests of the American Eastern Orthodox Church is followed by "The Answer," an allegory. "The Church & The Homosexual" presents an Anglican viewpoint; "What is Natural to Man?" that of a Roman Catholic priest.

The James Barr "EDITORIAL" is another angry protest against the religious standpoint of many churches, while your Editor's "A Moral Imperative" is a call for the churches to awaken to their need for some clarifications in theology. "Can a Homosexual be Christian?" approaches such clarifications from the standpoint of a thoughtful layman.

"Then Shall We Celebrate" is a prayer which without a doubt many homophiles have often used in essence. "The Path of Truth" expresses a tolerant Eastern Orthodox viewpoint, while the succeeding short-story, "The Moralist," presents an especially angry commentary upon attitudes the author holds to be prevalent among many Roman Catholics. The concluding "Homosexual Behavior in the Bible" reflects the Rev. Wood's careful researches into Biblical texts he finds applicable to the development of theological positions appropriate to an understanding of religion and the homophile.

While this brief anthology makes no pretense to bring exhaustive, it is, so far as is known, the only work extant which brings together the thinking of clergymen of various faiths, and that of conscientious homophiles, on matters of concern to them both.

It is hoped that by so doing, the relationship of the churches to the homophile, and the alienation of so many homophiles from religious affiliation can be subjected to further and productive study.