"No matter what happens and what seems to come at us, we need to stay in the boat. The Texas saying is "you dance with the one that brung you." It is the same principle. If you are following Jesus on to the boat...you stay with Jesus in the boat...even if he appears to be sleeping!

The document seeks to connect the acceptance within ECUSA of 'same-sex affection' (Note the new 'gentle' marketing term!) with the acceptance of societal outcasts by Christ, with the experience of the early church in accepting Gentile Christians, with women's ordination and even with the acceptance of the length of a man's hair (2.17).

In response we would say that today homosexuality is not an outcast in western society but is accepted, embraced and promoted widely.

third, the decision to endorse the Primates' February request that ECUSA and Canadian representatives voluntarily withdraw from Council decision-making.

It is important to see these decisions in the unfolding context of the Communion's response to ECUSA's corporate rejection of the Lambeth Conference teaching on sexuality, a rejection provided in the consent and consecration of a sexually-active gay bishop and the permission of same-sex blessings around the church.

Given the historic Anglican commitment to the primacy and sufficiency of Scripture, it would seem difficult to make a case from an Anglican perspective for the approval of same-sex activity, for the blessing of same-sex relationships, or for the ordaining of practicing homosexual clergy. Those who attempt to make such a case necessarily have to address the question of biblical authority.