If you visit All Saints Wokingham Berkshire England you will find a liberal-minded church which is not empty
www.allsaintswokingham.org.uk

David Hodgson, Wokingham, UK

There are many different ways of 'rewriting Scripture', e.g., professing to find clear statements in it about situations it didn't have to face and doesn't have anything to say about. Those who subject the Bible to serious and prayerful reflection in the light of experience and deepening understanding are not rewriting Scripture but responding to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. And please don't quote Leviticus 18.22 at me, or I'll ask you whether you have ever eaten prohibited foods like lobster (Lev. 11.10-11).

Eamonn Rodgers, Glasgow, UK

Sometimes the ignorance and hostility displayed by my fellow Christians towards those involved in non-traditional sexual relationships both embarrasses and exasperates me. This article helps to restore my faith in the Christian community, we are not all rabid born again evangelicals ready to thump those we disapprove of with our much thumbed copies of the Bible.

Why are some elements of the Church so concerned about people's private lives? Consensual and healthy sexual relationships whether they are monogamous, in or out of marriage, heterosexual or homosexual, are not an important issue in a world full of conflict and abuse.

Jon, WSM, UK

The demise of the church of England is due to institutional homophobia? The CoE now has less members attending on a given week then the muslims who constitute a tiny minority (3% of the population, I think). What Christian church is growing the fastest in England, the evangelicals. Roman catholics now outnumber Anglicans Why? Because they offer salt and light, and have not sacrificed themselves to worldly values. What is a church that says, "Right is what you feel in your heart, have a nice day." Christianity was built on the blood of Christ and then the blood of the martyrs. Who is going to dedicate let alone sacrifice their life for trite, hackneyed phrases? Homophobia the problem with the CoE? Doesn't seem to be holding back the Catholics, evangelicals and muslims. "Logic. Don't they teach logic in schools these days."

Robert , pueblo, USA

Trouble is, most "inclusive" churches are empty ! What's the point of following a church that just teaches a religious version of current societal norms ? People realize that if you want to follow Christ it means sacrifices and change. It is not just a matter of loving yourself and loving God (whoever you perceive her to be).

Jesus said "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching". You might not agree with biblical/christian behavioural standards, with their prohibition on sex - even dreaming about it - in most circumstances. And you might think that people should feel free to act on their current sexual orientation (given that many people experience changes over their lifetime).

But no-one is legally obliging you to believe or behave like a Christian!

Zwingli, Stetten, Germany

God does not say we are to be hostile to these individuals. We are to love one another as we love ourselves. But, if you are a Christian, you should accept that Christ was no liar. He said He didn't come to change the law, but to fulfill it. The law wasn't written to make people feel good about themselves. It was written to show people their need for God. If we continually rewrite the law to say that this or that no longer applies, because our enlightenment is superior to God's inspired word, then ultimately we will have written out everything that denies any form of self-actualization. We won't need God or a Savior. With any revision, biblical or otherwise, it is good practice to think through the unintended consequences. Where does rewriting Scripture ultimately end? Christ must not be the Son of God. Therefore, He must have been a liar. If He was lying, then all the revisionists who want to say Christianity is only Love, not Law, are basing their truisms on lies. Careful!

Diana , Durango, CO