MAINE: Hundreds Of Churches To Take Special Collection Against Civil Equality

On Father's Day, June 17th, hundreds of Maine's churches will take up a special second collection during Sunday services. That round of money will go directly to fight the November vote on same-sex marriage.

Between 150 and 200 churches are expected to raise money for the Protect Marriage Maine political action committee, said Carroll Conley Jr., executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine evangelical organization and a member of the PAC. Conley is also trying to drum up support for the Maine campaign from religious leaders from around the country. Protect Marriage Maine has been in contact with about 800 churches across the state and expects 150 to 200 to participate in the Father's Day collections, Conley said. They include Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Nazarene, Church of God, Wesleyan, Evangelical Free, Advent Christian and other denominations.

In 2009 the Maine Catholic Diocese ordered a similar second collection. The local Catholic Church says it is staying out of anti-gay fundraising this time.