Excellent statement. We are indebted to these groups for representing the biblical perspective on such important issues.

Good to see groups making a stand together for biblical truth- something often sidelined in society today.

This is really serious, and I would urge people to contact the equalities minister, Lynne Featherstone MP, at the House of Commons, as well as their local MP.

Here below is something I have written for our weekly newsletter for Sunday week:

Church and State

As you may have heard, Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, has warned the government against compelling clergy to conduct same-sex civil partnerships in church as the coalition prepares to grant what it sees as “marriage” rights to gay couples. The Church of England has already said that it would not allow its churches to be used for civil partnership ceremonies, although some other faiths including Unitarians, Quakers and Liberal Jews are reported to be keen. Dr Sentamu said: “I cannot say the Quakers shouldn’t do it. [But] nor do I want somebody to tell me the Church of England must do it or the Roman Catholic Church must do it because actually that is not what equality is about.” I bumped into Dr Sentamu recently (not something that happens often!) and was left in no doubt over how gravely concerned he is about the proposed changes.

Rev. David Houlding, from Anglo-Catholic group ‘Forward in Faith’, said: “It is not up to the Government to tell the Church what to teach. That would be altering the teachings of the Church and the Church is quite clear about what it teaches – that marriage is between a man and a woman.”

Dr. Lisa Nolland, a consultant to the group ‘Anglican Mainstream’, said it was important Christians speak out. “People have got to do something. They must pray and act,” she said. “If these plans are introduced, then it may be optional today but in six months’ time, if your church isn’t ‘gay friendly’ then you may find yourself in all sorts of difficulties, such as not being able to access funds for community projects. The church must find its voice.”

Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of the group ‘Christian Concern’, said: “Although we are being promised that the proposed new rights will be ‘optional’, there is little doubt that our existing laws will be used and tested by homosexual campaigners to pursue discrimination claims against those who resist. This new move could be a very significant marker towards the ending of genuine religious freedom in this country. In a very short time we may well see churchmen from a range of backgrounds being dragged through the Courts for refusing to marry homosexuals.”

Acts 5:29 is a relevant text. You can write to the equalities minister at this address: Lynne Featherstone, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. I have done so.