Bishop Andy expressed his desire that, "ACE may aspire and pray for these things: Relationship that will show its eternal dimension, a costly commitment to one another, an enjoyment of fruitfulness in others and theirs in us, and dependence in prayer for godly goals."

Martin Heatlie testified on behalf of Episcopalians in Northern California who researched the issue. “We could not find anything in the Bible or the Book of Common Prayer that required baptism as a prerequisite for receiving Communion,” Heatlie said. When priests say “the gifts of God for the people of God” before distributing the bread and wine, that means everyone, the diocese concluded.

The latest church to continue the slide down the slippery slope is the Church of Scotland, which is set to approve same-sex weddings in its churches after a majority of the church's 41 regional bodies, known as presbyteries, indicated their support ahead of the General Assembly next month. Almost three quarters of the Kirk's 41 presbyteries indicated support for the change, with just twelve opposed.

As many as 70% of those who identify as Christians are white Brits, who represent 83% of the U.K.'s adult population, says the survey, adding that 25% of those who identify as Christians are ethnic minorities, although they represent only 12% of the U.K.'s adult population.

The survey of more than 3,000 U.K. adults, commissioned by five Christian organizations, also found that 4% identify as agnostics, and 12% as atheists.

Talking Jesus