Christine - Well done. A calm and measured response amid hysteria which, as it happens, is also characteristic in my experience of the conduct of homosexual clergy. I am invariably moved by the dignity and grace with which my honosexual brothers and sisters in ordained ministry and among the laity bear the bile and casual prejudice that is directed at them. I would add that far too many heterosexual clergy act as if this oppression, every bit as nasty as the Church's racisms of the past, is nothing to do with them. The time is long overdue for straights to stand in the gays' corner - I hope we will at Lambeth.

The Rev'd George Pitcher
St Bride's,Fleet Street, London

George Pitcher, London, UK

It is sad that comments are made like this. Dr Mullins is silly to get all uptight about this issue. Unfortunately for him people cannot help who they fall in love with. He fell for his wife, wonderful but many men fall for men and women for women.

It is who they are attracted too!

Yes Religion should issue commands at people, it should encourage thought about issues mot make rhetorical statements.

Jem you may have a Gay and Religious best friend because they may be one in the same thing!

Steven, Buckhurst Hill,

For centuries faith groups have promoted marriage by only condoning sexual relations after marriage and therefore procreation, which subsequently increased their “flock”, and justifying it as the consummation of love Theologians today therefore fail to distinguish between love and sex. As clearly proved by your correspondent (Christine Holt, Bury, Lancs) this leads to the simple denigration of the religious position regarding homosexuals. The sexual orientation of an individual is one issue. Love is a different issue. A man can love his mother, sister, daughter and his dog but to have sexual relations with any of them would be judged unacceptable to the vast majority of the population, gay or otherwise. Until religions accept that sex and love are very different it will continue to be pilloried by those who seek to justify their actions as an expression of love rather than their sexual orientation.

Paul Gilbert, Solihull,