I have just reacquainted myself with 1 cor 5 9-11 - Paul at his most charming! I think it just shows that he never actually met Jesus as this teaching is in complete and utter opposition to the example Jesus gave us in his life.

I think you have this completely wrong Clare. In this small chunk of 1 Corinthians Paul says 'don't associate with a brother who is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.' These are people who claim to be followers of Christ, but exhibit behaviour at odds with this claim. Jesus harshest words were also for the 'religious' people of his time whose behaviour and attitudes were likewise diametrically opposed to the faith they professed.

Jesus spent much time with those who were judged sinners - prostitutes, tax colllectors and the like. In a similar vein Paul says that we should not remove ourselves from 'the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.' Because, as he goes on to say, we would have to leave this world.

In these few verses, in what way is Pauls teaching in complete and utter opposition to the example that Jesus gave us in his life?

My name is very much what it says on the tin, Simon Heron.

For many years I worked as a futures and options trader on the LTOM and LIFFE floors, wearing a series of ridiculous jackets, waving my arms around and spending other peoples money. I'm now a priest in the CofE, so wear a series of ridiculous clothes, wave my arms around etc etc.

Having trained for two years at Ridley Hall, I'm now starting my third year of four as curate of a parish in North Kent overlooking the Medway. The church building is located at the top of Frindsbury Hill, and we look down on Rochester Cathedral - but only physically.

I was a cradle Baptist, brought up in a church where, although never preached from a pulpit, there was an undercurrent of being fairly sure that the Roman Catholics weren't christians, and we were at least a little suspicious of the Anglicans.

I am a paid up (at least I think my subscriptions still in date) member of Fulcrum, and would describe myself as an open Evangelical, taking a traditional view on matters of human sexuality, as well as supporting womens ordination.

My inside leg measurement is 31, and I like good food, long walks in the park, and sunsets on the beach.