Prayer service for Question 6 opponents

TOWSON, Md. - At Rock City Church in Towson, the symbols go beyond the cross.  An American flag gets parishioners ready for an all-night prayer service on election eve.

"In Maryland, there's a huge issue going on," said Bishop Bart Pierce.    

Question 6 has Bishop Pierce bringing politics inside the sanctuary.  He has spent time educating his members and perhaps influencing their beliefs, using a recent case to try and further his argument.

"You tell me what I do with my grandchildren when they see men with boys and then a man goes to jail because there's men and boys," said Bishop Pierce.    

The bishop is referring to the child sex abuse scandal at Penn State.  On the other side of the issue, Governor Martin O'Malley said granting same-sex couples a marriage license is a civil right.

"The bill that is before the voters on referendum of Question 6 protects religious freedom and protects every child's home equally under the law.  It's called justice; it's called fairness," said Governor O’Malley.  

The measure allows clergy to opt out of marrying gay and lesbian couples.  Opponents of Question 6 say they collected more than double the number of signatures required to push it to a referendum.  But, voters appear to be split on the issue that has the nation watching Maryland polls.

"We can't take the beliefs and practices of a few people and push that over on the majority and say this is the way we should change and redefine something so foundational like marriage," said Bishop Pierce.

"We are going to reject the horrific lies and scare tactics that our opposition pushed upon the voters election after election," said Chad Griffin, President, Human Rights Campaign. 

Same-sex marriage has been rejected in all 32 states in which it has been on the ballot.

If Maryland voters say yes, it will go into effect on January 1st.