FAITH groups demanding the right to conduct same-sex marriages gathered at Holyrood to launch Faith in Marriage, a new campaign in favour of religious equality on the issue.

The results of a public consultation are currently being analysed before the Government considers legalising same-sex marriage.

While established religions, particularly the Catholic Church, have campaigned against the change, others in the faith community made their stand yesterday.

The Church of Scotland has come out against the reform but the Rev Scott McKenna, Kirk minister at Mayfield Salisbury in Edinburgh, insisted: "There is more than one Christian view on same-sex marriage, and the voice of Christians who support it needs to be heard.

"Allowing people to celebrate their love for each other in a same-sex marriage service conducted within a faith context will be one important step on the road to a more humane, moral Scotland."

Faith groups involved include the United Reformed Church, the Quakers, the Unitarians, Liberal Judaism, the Humanists, the Iona Community, Buddhists, the Open Episcopal Church, the Metropolitan Community Church, and the Pagan Federation.

There is some individual support within the Kirk and backing from some within the Scottish Episcopal Church. The coalition agrees that religious bodies not wanting to conduct same-sex marriages should not have to, but argues that opponents of same-sex marriage are attempting to "impose their views on all other faith groups and the rest of society.

Tom French, policy co-ordinator for the Equality Network, welcomed the launch of the Faith in Marriage campaign, saying: "This highlights that there is widespread support across Scotland's faith communities for equal marriage. The Scottish Parliament should recognise this and bring forward legislation that allows both religious and civil same-sex marriages.

"Opponents of equality should remember that religious freedom cuts both ways."