After more than three hours of debate, the Church of Scotland's General Assembly meeting in Edinburgh has avoided a confrontation on sexuality and ministry, after a motion from anti-gay hardliners was withdrawn before it could be voted on.

Actor Sean Penn, who won an Oscar this week for his portrayal of assassinated gay politician Harvey Milk, told members of anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church to reach beyond hate to their better selves.

Six churches and Christian groups have spoken out against US anti-gay hate group Westboro Baptist Church, who proposed to picket in the UK on Friday. But some of them have been challenged about their own policies.

Some church leaders caught up in the sexuality row not only refuse to consider scholarship which does not conform to their own perspective but also demand the right to prohibit others from acting on the fruits of study, says Savi Hensman. Anglicans need to be learners not warriors.