Sentamu has no authority over other denominations and he can say what he likes, it makes no difference. So in the end all he's doing is making a fool of himself. Or, and this is me being cynical, he's playing to homophobic African Anglicans and putting in the groundwork for his own bid for the Archbishopric of Canterbury.

And Christian marriage IS defined by the Church and has been for the last 1000 years or so, which is why I made a point of "religiously ordained" marriage as opposed to civil marriage.

Lol, and can I smite you if you have ever worn a garment made of mixed fibres??

Hmm, well obviously a "man and wife" is a "man and woman" - the gender terminology kinda says that!! But I'm thinking you're a bit weak on you facts here. Did you know, for example, that many of the early popes (from about 400AD to as late as 900AD) were not only married but some also had same sex marriages? Same sex relationships were common and even revered in ancient Greece and Rome and most historians agree that homosexuality was fairly widespread and openly condoned in most cultures until comparitively recently. The clampdown in Britain came with the Victorian age but this is just seconds ago if you take a longer view of history. Look at the Catholic Church now - all of the crimes and cover-ups suggest that it does not actually think there is anything too wrong with a bit of sex with the same sex.

Surely the definition of a marraige should be about two people who make the ultimate pledge to each other - to be there for the other through everything (why I and my husband chose the usual vows in a civil marriage). What would be better for you - the straight man who beats his wife or subjugates her to other bad things or the gay man who treats his partner with care and kindness? To me, the most important thing is love and care and that is certainly not exclusive to straight couples.

Try reading some history and here's wishing you more

It is what you make of it. I rejected the church after being at St Benedict's School in Ealing. I and my wife got married and didn't need permission from a God Botherer.

We've been married for 21 years and never needed guidance or being told what to do by those who think they know better because they believe in sky fairies.

If a gay couple want to marry, let them.

Being gay isn't a disease as far as I know and is probably more natural than people wondering about the place saying that God talks to them, something that is the usual defence of psycopaths after they have slaughtered their families!

Thalia56, In reply to your comments to my post. Yes you have entered into a civil contract which MANKIND has chosen to call "marriage" but your decision to not allow "contamination" of your vows, as you put it, with anything to do with God means that it is not a true marriage in HIS eyes. How sad I am that you consider the wonderful love of the Heavenly Father to be contamination. How far have we come as a race from His love.

I would not deny rights to any 'minority' I doubt if gay are a such a small minority, those who are out and gay may be.
i do not expect anybody to support any church via their taxes or in any way if that church is not to their way of thinking.
A church is a group of like minded people, if you are not of that like mind, it is for you, freely, to find such a like minded group.
All things funded by the taxpayer should be open to all other taxpayers and citizens who unfortunately fall below the tax threshold.
Any voluntary club membership, be it a church or a political party should be funded by those who willingly join that club, never the taxpayer, as is sadly the part for both political parties and some branches of the various churches in this country
How am I be a bigot?
I am not intolerant, I welcome diversity in all things.
I encourage all to think as they will and hope they will allow me to the same.
Name calling does not help anyone.
I deal with all people as people and love the varieties that happen.
People come first.
Faith, sexuality, politics and all the baggage comes after, let us enjoy the diversity, not force others to do as some real bigots want.

earlsspg made some good valid points, none of which could be descibed as biggoted. The facts are when people have not agreed with their churches view in the past they have formed their own breakaway church, eg. church of england broke away from the catholic church. So if a person doesn't like the rules then form your own with your own rules tailored to your own needs. That is not biggoted. Certainly cannot see the link between paying taxes and "gay" marriage ! ! ! As for being expected to support the church I didn't know anyone was forced to do this, in fact all this money you are giving to the "church" you may be better using it to start your own and this would be tax exempt as well.

a little lost on theology ? whats is right ? what is wrong ? you're not alone . Drives me loopy I tell you . tah .

There is no Batman ..... Karen you could have told me more gently lol

the tooth fairy is alive and well

yes i was divorced, I thought the vows meant something, my ex had other opinions.

As you quote stats?

that figure is now accepted ( not by homosexual pressure groups seeking funds) as being wrong
The Office for National Statistics (ONS). They showed that just one per cent of the population say they are homosexual (gay or lesbian) and another 0.5 claim to be bisexual.

Allyb, I will pray for you.

So if the church is in the middle ages and in decline - Why do you support the need for gay marriage in church!

The 1950s? Victorian idea?
Can you let me know the names of your history teachers; or did you not have an education?
With Yorks after your name maybe the Archbishop of York should pay you a visit!