Church and faith groups have a key role to play in bringing transformation to communities across the UK, according to the government minister responsible. But critics say many questions remain about the agendas of both parties.

The Evangelical Alliance, which claims to represent Evangelical Christians in the UK, has said it is "encouraging Christians to respond respectfully and in a Christ-like manner" to the decision made in yesterday’s judicial review of Northern Ireland’s Sexual Orientation Regulations.

As Labour and the Scottish Nationalists battle for control of Holyrood on 3 May, an extreme political party claiming to speak on behalf of Christians is comparing equalities legislation with Nazi anti-Semitism.

Apparently rejecting calls to express their opposition just 3 out of the 26 unelected bishops that sit in the House of Lords voted last night over the government's Sexual Orientation Regulations.

A coalition of Catholics, Anglicans, evangelicals, Conservative peers and judges failed last night to halt the progress of the Sexual Orientation Regulations. Gay Christians are delighted.

Several hundred Christians gathered outside Parliament carrying banners with slogans like: "Gay Aim = Abolish the Family" - despite warnings from other evangelicals that they were reinforcing the idea that all Christians are homophobic. Other campaigners have been accused of scare tactics.

The evangelical movement Faithworks is urging Christians not to take the statements issued by some Christian groups concerning the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs) as gospel.

Anglicans opposed to the Government's new Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs), which would prevent discrimination against gay and lesbian people, are urging the 26 unelected bishops who sit in the House of Lords to vote against the measures on Wednesday.

A major evangelical agency supports full equality in public services, and says this needs to be separated from church rows about sexuality

New laws protecting lesbian, gay and bisexual people from discrimination when accessing goods and services will come into force at the end of next month the Government has confirmed.