Group of Illinois religious leaders lobbies for marriage equality

More than 200 pastors and rabbis are calling for lawmakers to approve legislation allowing marriage equality. They will send a letter stating their plan to state lawmakers.

“Those who believe in Christ know according to Scripture we are no longer Jew or Greek, male or female, et cetera so I think that generally Scripture says we should all be loving and caring equally with all people,” said the Reverend Jerry Bennett of the Illinois South Conference of the United Church of Christ. “There are, I think, well over 100 federal benefits that do not accrue to gay or lesbian couples even if they have a civil union in the state of Illinois, they’re still denied the federal benefits.”

[via CBS St. Louis]