The Anglian Church I am convinced is on the downward spiral - Gay Priests and homosexuality has been with us and the church since the year dot ( and accepted in general) - It is interesting to note that churches with gay priests are packed to the doors with a mixed congregation . Ken - Essex UK

Ken James, Clacton on Sea Essex, England

Gay sex?
So many people want to say that I am against Homosexuality
-or the acting out of it.Yet I make no Judgement,on this or any other choice you make.
From God

Nigel francis Townend, Southend,

Martin,
Not clear at all. According to these verses even straight men who do not marry or leave their parents are sinners.Or divorcees remarrying, something the future head of your church has recently done. What about the multitude of other sins mentioned but now conveniently glossed over?

Henk, London,

Tony,

I would absolutely let my children, my grandchildren and indeed every vulnerable relative near this bishop. He's a sexually active religious man in a committed relationship. If you hear him speak, you knows he cares about people.

Frustrated Catholic priests, I would think twice about...

Sarah, Chelmsford, UK

Why is it so many Christians believe in a God who puts homophobia before everything else?

And why is it that a gay bishop who doesn't lie about his sexual orientation or his partner is not welcome at Lambeth - but the many bishops who are gay and who have partners but who lie about them *are*?

JC, Edinburgh, Scotland

To Alan, Edinburgh, UK
Gene Robinson DOES have "the interests of the Church at heart".
He would like to modernise it into the inclusive organisation that it could and should be, rather than a temple to vicious old exclusive dogma

Jeanette, Stirling, Scotland

THE GOSPEL of Mark 7:20 - 23 JESUS continued, "It's what comes out of a person that makes him unclean. Evil thoughts, sexual sins..adultery..wickedness, shameless lust..arrogance, and foolishness come from within a person. All these evils come from within and make a person unclean."
Also Mat 7v21

Clem, Perth, Australia

Jesus: "Go and sin no more." Paul: "shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."

If homosexuality was "morally neutral" or sin did not matter then Mr. Gene Robinson could take people sightseeing to Sodom and Gomorrah.

Also, "he without sin throw the first stone".

Philip, Nr. Haywards Heath, England

Comments by so-called Christians that gay people are an "abomination", immoral, child-molesters, "evil", "perverted" and so on, show the reason why the Anglican Church is in terminal decline. The sick people who promote this mantra will be the death of the Anglican religion, and good riddance.

Dave M, Cardiff,

I fully understand that homosexuals have problems with religion and vice versa. Obviously homosexuality is here to stay. But we could get rid of religion.
Isn't it worth a try?

alan, germany,

World-renowned U of Chicago bible scholar, Coert Rylarsdam said: There is no doubt that the bible condemns homosexuality; favor it if you like, but don't pretend you aren't going against and beyond the bible.

Richard L.A. Schaefer, Dubuque,Iowa, USA

Good on Sir Ian McKellen. It's wonderful to have someone with his influence and dignity taking up this cause in the public eye. I agree with him - as so many prejudiced individuals are proving, you can justify anything with a holy verse or two if you just look hard enough and 'interpret' right...

Eleanor, Yorkshire,

Lance quotes Romans as an example of the Gospels in defence on anti homosexual arguments yet since when was Romans a gospel? It is a Pauline letter. If God was unhappy with homosexuals, why did he he create them? God loves everyone and sees his creation as good. Gene Robinson IS good!

Steven, Buckhurst Hill,

The Gospels are clear that Jesus embraced outcasts. Some in the Church want to assure that gays continue to be outcasts. Unless, of course, the gays are willing to bear false witness about themselves; in that case they can continue to serve as Bishops as they have throughout history.

Alan, Leeds,

Many accuse the "liberals" of trying to railroad their agenda, but what about the evangelicals trying to stuff their hogwash down our throats. I wish the rigid, narrow minded individuals, and the evangelicals would form their own church. Oh, wait they already have. Baptists!

John F. McIlray, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

"He also lamented the Church's obsession with sex. "

We're lamenting his.

Maggie, Slough, UK

No problem with gay/lesbian people. Problem is with Episcopal Church in U.S. being taken over by those with more of a political agenda than a spiritual one.

Bill, Chattanooga, US

A clergyman leaves his wife for another woman, and he is fired. A clergyman (Gene Robinson) leaves his wife for another man and he is made Bishop.

Why didn't these people go off and form their own church and not hijack our church.

Mrs JE Johnston, Shepton Mallet, UK

Peter, Berlin, Germany says:
"The trouble with the liberal side ... not a trace of humility or a desire for peace"
Ahh - not like the true believers.
Scroll back a little Peter - Evil - abomination - immorality -sin - self-obsessed.
Is that the hand of friendship or what ?

Ian, Berwick, UK

These people call themselves christians? - Jesus tried to overturn peoples prejudice - he befriended the unwanted and excluded - the lepers & prostitutes etc - the very people these 'christians' judge and exclude - & maybe right now Jesus is befriending Gene Robinson 'the excluded' he has my support

Melanie, london, UK

Why is it that a formrly married, divorced man can live with his male lover and be a bishop, but a single woman could not be ordained whilst living with a male lover. Politics as usual I suppose.

Janet McGrail, Swinton,

How does the article explain the Bishop's comments regarding idolatory - with the exception of the first paragraph It isn't touched on at all.

It's very sad that attention IS on this issue when infact the church is pouring so much energy into far more pressing concerns like Zimbabwe n Mayanmar

Nathan, Cambridge, UK

God love all sinners but not their sin, the gospel is clear about homosexualism; read Rom 1 v 18-32. You can try to justify your sinful act by emotional issues, spiritual devotion and services but God is not mocked and His standard will not change because of your modernization. Abuse not his grace.

Lance Collins, london, uk

The church is showing its lack of humanity and its bigotry. Just more divisive tribalism typical of all religions.

Tim, Spalding, UK

It is past time that the Anglican Communion accepts homosexuals and women as priests, bishops, and as equal citizens in society.

Never compromise with conservatives, for they are never satisfied unless they get their way completely. Recognition the full humanity of all people.

John S. Dearing, Corvallis, Oregon, USA

I am a christian and certainly believe that there were no conditions given when God said love one another. However I think it is wrong for the Bishop to put his own wants above that of the church he has been called to serve.

Bishops should save lives and bring others to God not cause controvesy.

G Jones, London, England

Evangelicals are not obsessed with sex they are obsessed with the truth of Scripture.
It would be more accurate to say the gay lobby are obsessed with sex since it is they who wish to behave contrary to the clear message of the Scriptures and have made their sexuality their idol.

Martin, Isle of Skye,

Andrew Brown, derby, UK says:

"God intended sex as heterosexual and in marriage."

And yet sex was in vogue long before marriage was thought of.
Are there lots of unmarried people in Hell ?

Ian, Berwick, UK

Isn't it time that the Church of England took the bible seriously and banned divorce Matthew 19:6 , took male and female slaves from the nations around us (e.g. France, Ireland and Scotland but only when independent) Lev. 25:44 and stopped M&S from selling mixed fabrics Lev. 19:19, for a start.

JL Corte, London,

Martin, Isle of Skye says:
"Gods design for human sexuality ... behaviour contrary to this is termed as an abomination, immorality or sin, even to just thinking it"

You forgot to add Martin, that this is just you (and Matthew's) idea of course.
Many people, whose views are as valid as your own, would feel that you are talking through your hat.

Clear?

JJ, London, UK

I must say that Bishop Robinson is more guilty of idolatry, pride and arrogance.
It seems that his interpretation of scripture is the only valid one. He also seems to be putting words into the mouth of Jesus, saying if he were around today he would support gay priests and bishops. Really????

James, Epsom, England

Who was it that “raised this one issue” to the point where it is worth breaking apart the Communion? Oh, yes, the Diocese of New Hampshire and Bishop Robinson. Wanna talk “idolatry”?

Paul, Waterbury, CT, US

Jesus is supposed to have abrogated the Old Testament, so stop running to Leviticus all the time. Either become Jewish or accept that Jesus had nothing to say on the matter.
Christians fight like cats in a sack: funny, but if they could see themselves...

C Smith, Norwich, UK

Idolatry, he says. The man who wishes the churches to change their teaching to take account of his morals, rather than the other way around. Arrogance, I say.

Chris Gillibrand, Brussels, Belgium

"A hectic round of media interviews by Bishop Robinson ensured that the issue of gays and Anglicans remained top of the news agenda where it is likely to stay for the next three weeks of the conference. "
But "He also lamented the Church's obsession with sex." so why all these interviews?

George, Bolton, England

The text the anti-gay wing of the Church quotes is Leviticus, which states that for a man to lie with another, as with a woman, is 'an abomination' . Read on - so is eating pork and shellfish. Oh, and the punishment for being gay is death. They are sex-obsessed & inconsistent.

John, Péault, France

According to this 'populist gospel, since God loves us all, there's no need for change. Apparently the New Testament idea of 'repentance' has been abandoned for the sake of inclusiveness. I assume those who do, won't be singing ''love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all"!

David Shepherd, Farnborough, United Kingdom

In response to Henry Cown's post, his comment that gays and lesbians 'are certainly not role models' is incorrect and offensive as a generalisation. Some gay and lesbian people are excellent role models, and others are not ... and exactly the same can be said about the heterosexual community.

Gary, London, UK

It is obvious that many Anglicans will react to that by converting to Islam.

Marc, London, UK

why dare to call opposition to (biblical) sin idolatry?

who cares who are bishops?

how can any religionist brag about sinning?

I don't care about individual conduct, but why flaunt
what has always been considered sinful?

edward, river forest, Illinois , U.S. A.

If this man had the interests of the Church at heart he would resign and make his arguments elsewehere. To risk creating a schism on this scale suggests to me that he is not a worthy leader irrespective of the merits of his views.

Alan, Edinburgh, UK

Gene Robinson is a very self-interested man. I think if the question was, " would you buy a used car from him?" the answer would have to be 'no'.

judy, Liverpool, England

Tony, Doncaster says:
"I will not take a chance, just in case."
The chance of what Tony ?

You seem to be suggesting something unpleasant, but don't have the bottle to say what it is !

Rather like the "have you stopped beating your wife" question.

What is this dark fantasy of yours ?

Ian, Berwick, UK

The trouble with the liberal side is their readiness simply to railroad their agenda through. There is not a trace of humility or a desire for peace - save entirely on their terms - in their approach - and that is much worse than any ideas they may have about sex.

Peter, Berlin, Germany

Its better that we tolerate diverse religious clubs, each of which has its own interpretation of God's "true" will, then continually water down the tenets of one particular set of beliefs whenever it is deemed politically correct to do so.

Mark Bowden, York, UK

Evil has a benign face! There is a concerted effort amongst a perverted minority to normalise their scandalous behaviour. If this man cannot help his proclivities he should keep them to himself and not set out to destroy a church from within simply to justify his own immorality.

David, Cheltenham, Uk

Ian in Berwick

I will not take a chance, just in case. If you want to take this chance its your choice

Tony, Doncaster, uk

Gods design for human sexuality is found in Genesis 2v18-24 and repeated by Jesus Christ and recorded in Matthew 19v4-6 and Mark 10 v6-9. Every reference in the Bible to behaviour contrary to this is termed as an abomination, immorality or sin, even to just thinking it, Matthew 5v27-28.

Clear?

Martin, Isle of Skye,

Robinson seems to be a very self-obsessed man. Hardly a great advert for Christianity.

craggs, Liverpool, u

Tony, Doncaster asks:
"Will you let your children and grandchildren near this bishop? I would most certainly not"
Tony,
Are you implying that gay people pose a particular risk to children ? And if so, what exactly is htat risk ?

Ian, Berwick, UK

May be this a homosexual religion

Charlie, london, uk

Will you let your children and grandchildren near this bishop? I would most certainly not

Tony, Doncaster, uk

These people ALL seem to have completely lost sight of everything that our / their religion is about. They've degenerated into warring politicians - each intent on "winning" his own corner.

Jacinda, London, UK

The issue is not actually that of sexuality, rather the supremacy of the Bible as the Christians ultimate authority. It consistently teaches from Genesis through to Revelation (not just a few texts in Leviticus and Paul's letters) that God intended sex as heterosexual and in marriage.

Andrew Brown, derby, UK

Jesus did not set up the Church. It is man-made, with all the prejudices of men. Jesus tried to overturn these, to make people think about their own bigoted selves and where that is likely to get them. As an Anglican, I fully support Gene Robinson.

Lindsay M, Lincoln, England

I have no problem with gays and lesbians in the pews. They belong there as God loves them as well as he loves me. But they have no place in the pulpit. They are certainly not role models.

henry cown, linthicum, MD, USA

I am so saddened and tired by this constant refrain that I cannot be a "good" Christian just because I worship idols. If reactionaries like Bishop Gene cannot except my diversity, why... why... I may just slip off quietly and join the Unitarians!

John, New York,

This person is not a bishop at all, he is a product of a complete distortion of what Christendom is all about. The problem is not that he is a sinner, all of us we are as well but none of us or at least a vast majority won’t admit without remorse that we betrayed our faith, unless he changes is lost

Louis v. Wetzler, Buenos Aires, Argentina

""There is more rejoicing in Heaven over one repentant sinner than over a hundred just men"

"If you love me, do as I say"

I would be far more persuaded of Dr Robinson's Christian orthodoxy if I saw him stand in the pulpit and repent of his perversion of Christian truth.

Sandy, Stamford, England

Whilst I have no great knowledge of religious matters, I thought that all churches agreed that "God loves everyone" - I assume that includes gay people.

Why are the Anglicans wasting time on such a non issue when the World faces so may crises - such as Zimbabwe. Religion is facing irrelevancy.

Brian B, Morayfield, Australia

The US church could 'elect rapidly and consecrate a further five or six [gay] bishops.' For this to happen, sees have to be open, elections scheduled, and openly gay candidates nominated. To my knowledge, there are none standing right now. This would take years. Unsourced, this is scaremongering

Dirk Reinken, Ewing, NJ, USA

I was there at St Mary's and the Bishop said he would not "storm" into any of the official Lambeth Conference meetings as he had not been invited. He said that he would be at the marketplace and in some other events organised by other colleagues and his wish was to meet and talk to others...

Angelo, London,

Ruth - You say that Gene is turning up at the Lambeth Conference in defiance of the Achbishop of Canterbury -

I thought he was encouraged by conference organisers to attend the Marketplace - and that is where he plans to be.

Have you some information that he now plans to storm the conference?

Martin Reynolds, Newport, Wales