Why is it that biblical proscriptions regarding homosexuality are upheld in all their literal rigour, while others (such as Christ's unambiguous veto of heterosexual divorce) are quietly waived? Divorcees are remarried in your Churches and cohabiting couples are welcome at your altars. Hypocrites!

Paul Bryant, London, UK

The bishops know two things. They know what the Bible says about homosexuality; they know they can't get round what it says, and, God knows, they've tried. It doesn't really matter what Anglicans in English pews think. It's what people around the world, Hindu, Muslim, Baptist and Anglican think.

Jim Guest, G. Manchester,

"Allowing ancient text(s) to justify shaming any minority is just wrong."

Yet the Biblical text can't reasonably be used to justify homophobia. In fact it's not at all clear what the relatively few relevant Biblical texts actually mean iin the context of our modern understanding of homosexuality.

andrew holden, oxford, uk

We should probably spend about as much time commenting on sexual matters as Jesus did, i.e. practically none at all.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

Our Faith leaders have bent so far they have broken the only thing they had left. Their Belief.

Mark, Gateshead, uk

Wake up., and move into in the real world...... Are we still living in the stone age!!!!!

Paul Blunden, Copenhagen , Denmark

Hey Ian, the study was commissioned by a gay rights group. What result would you expect them to find? More propoganda from the homosexual lobby, I see.

Ivory, Boston, USA

The point being made by the study and the article creates an incorrect "either/or" dichotomy based on the politicizing of this issue. At the center of Christian teaching is love; that was the central message of Jesus. It does not follow that loving the sinner means altering doctrine to accept sin.

Jonathan, Cleveland, US

Liberal society is always going to create liberal views. The problem is God's law is clear on homosexuality and the fact is, it is simply unacceptable. However confusion will remain on this issue.

Joseph, Rugby,

My boyfriend of 10 years is from a large Muslim family. Every single one of them is perfectly fine with the fact that we are a couple. There are MANY Muslims here in the UK nothing like the way the press tends to portray them. We need to stop seeing labels/categories and start seeing people.

James, Cardiff, UK

1) Opinion polls do not define the truth or otherwise of any particular belief.
2) The issue isn' that of homosexuality - rather 'homosexual practice'.

Andrew brown, derby, uk

Stonewall - a government funded gay lobby group, so what's new? For some genuine honest thinking on homosexuality:
http://www.danacentre.org.uk/events/2006/07/18/155
linked to the Science Museum, all secular pro gay thinkers

Fati, Dalston, UK

Bob Ericson,

Insofar as is indicated by the published statements of Stonewall (UK), Changing Attitude (UK) and Integrity (USA), or Bp. Robinson for that matter, it appears that none of the foregoing would agree with your implied prioritization.

Keith Toepfer, Bothell, Washington, USA

Ms. Gledhill,

First, as I would think you must be aware, the issue is not about inclination (by whatever term you wish to use) as about "manner of life." Second, again surely known to you, the church is not a democracy, but a kingdom, belonging to, and ruled by, the Lord. What matter surveys?

Keith Toepfer, Bothell, Washington, USA

Third, this is not about accepting in the church those who suffer from same sex attraction, it is about the ordination of those who do not wish to amend an aspect of their lives that is described by Roman Church, rightly in my opinion, as "profoundly disordered."

Keith Toepfer, Bothell, Washington, USA

Nuts!

Right is right, and wrong is wrong, and compromise only results in the firey pits of hell.

The bishops of the church have led the church astray - Jerimiah 23.

Richard, Cheneyville, LA, USA

The issue's not whether gay people are 'nice' or not, but whether such a lifestyle is what the Creator intended for us.
The YouGov survey needed to ask not 'are you religious?' and, 'do you think gay sex is acceptable?', but 'do you believe the Bible is a true record of God's will for our lives?'

Chris Nel, Ripon, England

It is staggering that in 2008, there are so many bloody-minded people holding onto their view of a literal translation of the bible. Born heterosexual or not, it is not a "choice" that one makes, it's our fundamental makeup. Allowing ancient text(s) to justify shaming any minority is just wrong.

Peter, Liverpool, England

The church is to be the moral light of the world for society even when taking a moral stand is not popular.
The church should not descend into the decadence and depravity of society, and become blind leading the blind into a ditch.

Jon Do, Fayetteville, TN, USA

Always wondered if Jesus was gay. He wasn't married in a culture where for a man to be 30 and never married was almost unknown. And there that group of male friends he surrounded himself with. “The disciple that Jesus loved best.” Now do you regret destroying the Gospel according to Philip?"

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan

Hypocricy is key here. St Paul did outlaw same sex but Jesus accepted the existence of Gays(Mat 19) and In the letter to Philipians their acceptance is on record. The relationship between Man and God is personal and no person must judge right and wrong but God. LOVE is the only God's primary Command

Joseph , South Harrow,

Strange. Very strange.Gay, Homosexual, lesbien, the very openly minded, extremely minded, worldly minded, all sprts of sexual participants - I have no problem with people. I love people. We are all equal but dont get it twisted, When its time to lift up Holy hands, will you be able to ?

Dele, forfar, UK

Religious leaders are surely supposed to reflect the teachings of their faith, not the views of their congregation.

And it's surely just coincidence that the study 'reflects' the view of its sponsor.

David Richards, London, UK

Since it is commissioned by Stonewall would you really expect the report to read otherwise?

Len, Shipley,

Most people who are interested in spiritual matters would say that there are far more pressing matters for faith leaders (and followers) to address than sexual orientation (or whether women can serve the Church - they have done so in some denominations for many years, or creationism etc).

Bob Ericson, Tewkesbury, Glos,

Spot on. Ordinary religious people are far more welcoming than their leaders, where hypocrisy rulesi in their un-godly quest for power over their religious flock..

barry, London, UK

Absolutely correct and us 'ordinary' people out here always knew that. It is the great and good in their ivory towers, who never ask us anything, who are the out of touch brigade.

ian payne, walsall,