DES MOINES -- More than 160 faith leaders in Iowa have voiced their support for same-sex marriage and on Tuesday decried opponents who cite the Bible in raising objections.
The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa held a Statehouse news conference to say that 167 representatives from a cross-section of diverse faiths in the state had sent a letter to all 150 legislators outlining their position.
"As many faith traditions affirm, where there is love, the sacred is in our midst," the letter states. "This belief is the same for couples comprised of a man and a woman, two women or two men."
Speakers said they wanted to counter the argument by same-sex marriage opponents who try to rely on the Bible to back up their views.
"Let me be perfectly clear," said the Rev. Matt Mardis-LeCroy, chairman of the Des Moines-based alliance. "I do not support marriage equality in spite of my Christian faith. I support marriage equality because of my Christian faith."
The Iowa Supreme Court last spring struck down a state law banning gay marriage.
Critics of that decision pushed the Legislature this session to begin the lengthy process of putting a constitutional amendment before voters that would overturn the court's ruling.
