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COUNCIL BLUFFS -- A group of religious officials is advocating for what it calls "marriage equality."
Interfaith Alliance of Iowa distributed a letter to Iowa legislators in February asking them to uphold the right of same-sex couples to marry in Iowa. Now, alliance members are working to inform the public of the reasons behind their position and make it clear that not all Christians agree on the issue.
"As clergy, we stand together in support of civil marriage equality for all families," the letter stated. "We ask for your support of civil marriage equality and ask that you oppose any resolution or attempt to diminish the marriage rights of Iowa's families."
A long list of active and retired clergy and officials associated with church-affiliated colleges and organizations signed the letter.
"Some denominations are not supportive, so it's very courageous for these people to come out and say they support it," said Connie Ryan Terrell, executive director. "For us as an organization, marriage equality is - you're talking about civil rights and separating religious beliefs from civil law," she said. "We're supportive of marriage equality and believe that's a civil right that all adults should have."
The only pastor from southwest Iowa who signed on was the Rev. Elizabeth Dilley, pastor at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Red Oak.
"I believe religious organizations have every right to set rules on who they will marry and who they will not; but, insofar as marriage, the state has no business telling churches who they can and cannot marry," she said.
Dilley said she has performed about 15 same-sex marriages since the Iowa Supreme Court ruled a ban violated the state's constitution, "and have been delighted to do so. About one-third of the couples I've married have been from out of state," she said.
Ryan Terrell said she thinks the same-sex marriage issue will have some influence in this fall's election but will not be a major issue.
"Iowans are practical people," she said. "They're going to be interested in issues that affect them directly. We see the opinion tide turning."
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