Of course, high level PC activists in the Conservative party are going to lobby Government ministers and the Charity Commission to send Living Out to the zero-Gift-Aid equivalent of Siberia.

But how could a free society that respects the right of voluntary assembly for peaceable spiritual purposes not grant Living Out charitable status in the light of its stated objective? As the group puts it on its website:

"We experience same-sex attraction and yet are committed to what the Bible clearly says, and what the church has always taught, about marriage and sex. We do not identify as gay Christians, preferring to use the term 'same-sex attracted'.

"With friends, we've set up this website to articulate a perspective that is not often heard -- that of men and women who are honest and open about their same-sex attraction, but who have discovered that obedience to Jesus in this area of life is fulfilling, healthy and authentic.

"We want people who experience same-sex attraction, those who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transsexual (LGBT) or who are just questioning; their family and friends; their churches and pastors; and those investigating Christianity, to find here a plausible way of living out what Christians have consistently believed about marriage and sex."

The Apostle Paul's prayer in his letter to the church in 1st Century Rome is so very applicable to the courageous servants of the Lord Jesus Christ in Living Out:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Romans 15v13 - RSV).

Julian Mann is vicar of the Parish Church of the Ascension, Oughtibridge, South Yorkshire wwww.oughtibridgechurch.org.uk