Fair enough. You and most people of the Christian faith too I suppose.

The question has to stand though, not necessarily in your case granted, that biblical dogma is stated as reason for secular laws or influencing of such laws. That is the hypocrisy I refer to.

Take the recent ongoing debates in the Anglican church over allowing female bishops. The only argument put forward to support what appears to outsiders as misogyny is that the Bible forbids it. Jesus had male disciples etc. Vicars represent the disciples yadda yadda.

Rather convenient. As to making their faith appear relevant to society, well most western societies have moved on. Ditto gay marriage. Bishops come on the telly saying the word marriage is a holy one. Not only pissing off gay people but inadvertently winding up the many marriages conducted other than in holy places. My second marriage was in a hotel.

Picking and choosing for personal guidance is one thing. Doing so to fortify debate on shaping society at large? Err. That's what church leaders seek to do and that is where convenient cherry picking weakens their argument.

By the way. Note pete's response to my question. To an outsider, he seems the real deal. I may disagree with him, I may feel his opinions dangerous if taken up, I may question how an intelligent person cannot see beyond blind faith in ancient ideas, but for all that, I admire his resolute commitment.