Conference to try and take hatred out of church gay debate
-24/11/04
A conference on the controversial issue of homosexuality in the Church is to take place next month with the goal of drawing some of the "heat, hatred and hostility" from the debate.
The initiative will be hosted by the Bishop of Lichfield, the Right Reverend Jonathan Gledhill, and comes after the publication last month of the Windsor Report, which made recommendations to both sides about how splits in the Anglican Communion could be avoided over the issue.
Speakers will put the case both for a change in the way gay people are viewed by the Church, and for the traditional biblical interpretation of sexuality.
In a statement, the diocese said the day was "not a prelude to change".
The statement said: "Bishop Jonathan has often stated that he has not been persuaded to detract from the traditional interpretation of the biblical view of human sexuality.
"It is hoped that rather than generating more heat, hatred and hostility, the conference will provide an opportunity for people to hear the opposing arguments in a constructive way."
The conference, Human Sexuality and God's Love, will be held at Meeting Point House in Telford, Shropshire, on 4 December.
The speakers will include Elizabeth Stuart, professor of theology at Winchester, who will speak in favour of change in the church.
Dr Mike Thompson, the vice principal of Ridley Hall Theological College, will speak from a conservative perspective.
The Diocese of Lichfield covers much of Shropshire, Staffordshire and parts of the West Midlands.
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