Stayed up real late last night watching the video web stream of the Church of Scotland’s Assembly.
The debate of the day dealt a report on same sex relationships which the Assembly had commissioned in 2011. There is a link to the report, along with some background and analysis of its recommendations here.
Anyway, watching the amazingly well produced web stream, a third response was put forward, basically from the floor of the meeting, the effect of which (I think) is to recognise the current standard (‘traditional’) while allowing local churches to follow the other path on sexuality if they want (‘revisionist’). In some ways it would seem to legitimise what may have already been the covert current practice.
You can read an initial report here.
The three options were put alongside one another, the traditional (biblical) view was the least popular, and in a second run off vote, the revisionist (it’s the vibe, it’s Mabo) view lost out to the ‘we can have it both ways’ option.
Because of the nature by which this decision was formulated and adopted, action upon it has to wait for another year.
The direction this is following shouldn’t be a surprise. The path it’s taking seems to demonstrate a lack of conviction.
That’s the nicest characterisation I can observe about it.
mgpcpastor's blog 
I saw a Facebook comment from Andrew McGowan complaining that a carefully prepared report he was involved in was ignored and a hastily-prepared compromise adopted. Also interested to see a comment from Rev Bob Thomas of the PCV, noting that in the morning there was an impressive sermon from a young minister on “The Holiness of God” – interesting a brave choice of subject! But I still can’t believe they dared to do this with Bob there….
Ben Palmer
I saw McGowan’s comment, and obvious disappointment aside, having brought a report which placed the choice of tradition or revision starkly before the Assembly without commending one or the other, it somewhat defies credulity that the option of trying to synthesise the two (which was acknowledged in the report) being pursued, would come as a surprise.
The comment from Thomas referred to a speech in favour of the traditionalist option ‘B’, given by a minister who identified himself as a 30 year old, and whom McGowan later identified as having been an assistant minister to him until recently.