A strong statement from a range of evangelical organizations has called on the Church of Scotland to affirm the membership and ministry of gay people in the church on biblical and traditional grounds - in opposition to anti-gay activists.

Two evangelical Anglican bishops have come out with contrasting statements on homosexuality recently, points out Mark Vernon. One recognises that the issue is about love, the other sees only rules, it seems.

The Church of Sweden, which has been criticised by other Lutherans for blessing civil partnerships, says the state should not redefine marriage.

Last year Sir Elton John said religion was bigoted and should be banned. Now anti-gay residents of Tobago want him banned from attending a music festival. The contest looks to be a non-event.

The often-vituperative argument over sexuality within the 77-million strong Anglican Communion has been thrown into sharp perspective this month (January 2007), when it was revealed that the leader of a group of lesbian and gay Christians in Nigeria has received the latest in a series of death threats.

Religious groups opposed to homosexuality have failed in their attempt to encourage British peers to scrap new rules providing lesbian and gay people with the same protection against discrimination as have been enjoyed by faith groups since 1998.

Ahead of a rally in opposition to the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs) outside parliament tonight (9 January 2007), which protestors predict will attract several thousand participants, supporters of the equalities legislation ‚Ä' from civil rights, religious and secular groups ‚Ä' say that the regulations are being widely misrepresented.

A leading Evangelical has branded planned demonstrations by Christians against the Government's proposed Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs) due to be discussed in the House of Lords tomorrow, as "virulent" and "aggressive".

In a move which is being interpreted by some as part of a conscious effort to pre-empt decisions about a global Anglican covenant promoted by Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, the Anglican Church in Tanzania has said it will no longer knowingly accept money from dioceses, parishes, bishops, and individuals that "condone homosexual practice or bless same-sex unions", a statement from its House of Bishops has declared.