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From Dave Tomlinson, writer and Vicar of St Luke’s Holloway in London:

As a vicar who fully embraces same-sex relationships, I have just been asked to discuss with leaders of different religions how I reconcile this with my faith tradition.

 It’s an invitation I can’t resist, not simply because of my passion for the topic, but because I welcome every opportunity to talk and debate with people of different faiths and opinions. More importantly, to build friendship. We will never fully agree; I can’t even do that with my wife, but love and friendship is based on mutual respect, not total agreement. 

 One of my happiest priestly days was when I jointly conducted a Muslim-Christian wedding with an imam. The couple who each took their faith seriously wanted no compromise; each tradition was to be properly represented. The day was a magnificent convergence of religions, cultures and families. When my imam colleague introduced the Muslim part of the ceremony – charming everyone with warmth and humour – he spoke of a recent visit to his home town in Africa where the first thing he did was help build a church.

Apparently, the Christian community was struggling to complete its building project, so he mobilised his Muslim friends to purchase materials and set about the task. When I chatted with him after the wedding, he said: ‘That’s what it’s about, Dave. We are brothers and sisters, we love one another.’

 Many people’s vision of religion was transformed that day. The congregation which included Muslims, Christians, and people of no faith witnessed a spectacle of religious harmony – the celebration of a multi-faith marriage, the warm working partnership of priest and imam, the mingling of different traditions, and the demonstration that God belongs to no one and everyone.

 For years, I have taken part in interfaith discussion. We argue and debate and shake our heads at each other. We also laugh and joke and tease one another. And then share some ‘interfaith’ sandwiches and talk about families or football or television.

 I’d hate to live in a world where everyone held the same beliefs, followed the same religion, thought the same way. How tedious, and narrow our understanding of life would be.

 It isn’t our differences that divide us, but our inability to accept and celebrate those differences – then share a nice cup of tea.