Minnesota Public Radio:

Marriage amendment supporters in Minnesota are counting on strong support from the African-American community come Election Day, when they hope to change the state constitution so that it blocks same-sex marriage.

The Rev. Jerry McAfee is on their side. As pastor of New Salem Missionary Baptist church, believes marriage between a man and a woman is based on teachings in the Bible. Tuesday night at his Minneapolis church, he brought together Baptist and Pentecostal preachers and a representative of the Minnesota Catholic Conference so they could all say why they support the ballot measure - and hear from opponents of the measure as well.

One of the ministers, Pentecostal Bishop Richard Howell, told the audience that acceptance of same-sex marriage was weakening society, and, and that "it's time for the church to open its mouth, not be silent another day in her life."