CS Lewis in 'Mere Christianity' starts by discussing the need for 'being a Christian' to mean something more than 'being a nice person'. That is my starting point: being a Christian is to 'contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints' (Jude 3). That is the faith that is revealed in the New Testament, both the Gospels and the Epistles.

Paul says: '9 Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, 10 thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God.' (1 Cor 6). Because it is one of the passages that includes a reference to homosexuality, it's usually read with that in mind, with the result that the rest of the list gets overlooked. So: note that the list includes 'fornicators' as one of those who 'will not inherit the kingdom of heaven'. Although eternal life is more than getting to heaven when we die, it is a fundamental element, and Paul argues that it's the glory of then that will render our present sufferings insignificant.

Therefore it is clear to me that Christianity is defined as being wholly inconsistent with man boy love - it is NOT a non-essential issue. Therefore it only makes sense for me to make that claim clear at the entrance to our fellowship.

Turning to the challenge about 'making us liars'; in practice fellowships tend to include a wider variety of people than just those committed to the beliefs that they are supposed to believe; the number of people who spout the creeds on a Sunday without really believing them is undoubtedly many. In that context I believe that people who are slightly uncertain about their view on the legitimacy of man-boy sex will tend to be willing to interact here. As I've said, the emergence of CJAT offers an alternative for those who want to cling on to the label 'Christian'. IMNSHO I feel their position is deeply flawed, but I feel it reduces the need for this board to cater to all views.