'You can't abandon Christian teaching because some people don't like it' - Christian Institute

The Christian Institute has dismissed calls for a change to the Church of England's position on marriage after a poll claimed broad support among Anglicans. 

The YouGov survey found that nearly half (48%) of people who identify as Anglicans in England believe that same-sex marriage is "right". 

The survey was conducted on behalf of the Ozanne Foundation, which is campaigning for LGBT equality in the Church of England. 

Responding to the results, the organisation's founder Jayne Ozanne said they showed "the urgent need for the Church of England hierarchy to recognise and respect the clear views of a significant proportion of its members, which are steadily increasing as time goes by".

Colin Hart, director of the Christian Institute, however, said that Christian doctrine should not be determined by public opinion. 

"You can't abandon Christian teaching because some people don't like it," he said. 

"The faith once delivered to all the saints didn't emerge as a result of polling or focus groups. Neither will it emerge from following secular trends.

"The Bible's message is clear. Marriage can only ever be between one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others, for life."

YouGov last month polled 1,171 adults in England who described themselves as Church of England, Anglican or Episcopal.  The survey did not ask them whether they attended church.

Mr Hart added: "We cannot draw any conclusions from the poll about the beliefs of communicant members of the CofE."

The poll was conducted after the House of Bishops issued a statement saying that sex should only take place within the context of marriage. 

The statement was intended as a response to the introduction of heterosexual civil partnerships by the Government. 

"Sexual relationships outside heterosexual marriage are regarded as falling short of God's purposes for human beings," the statement said. 

News
CoE sees surge in interest this Christmas amid reports of a 'quiet revival'
CoE sees surge in interest this Christmas amid reports of a 'quiet revival'

The Church of England has said that it is experiencing a surge in interest and that it has registered a record number of services this Christmas.

Nicaragua bans international visitors from bringing in Bibles
Nicaragua bans international visitors from bringing in Bibles

Nicaragua has gone up the league table of anti-Christian persecutors.

The little-known prayers written by Jane Austen
The little-known prayers written by Jane Austen

It is now 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen whose books and their many screen adaptations are beloved around the world. Not many people know that she was a devout Christian who also wrote devotional prayers. This is the story …

The Anglican worldview of Jane Austen’s life and novels
The Anglican worldview of Jane Austen’s life and novels

16 December 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of novelist Jane Austen, who was born in southern England in 1775. Her novels are steeped in biblical analogy and practical theology. This is the story…