Podcast #27: The gay marriage debate

After the Church of England dug in its heels against the coalition's plans to legalise same-sex marriage, we explored the issue with our latest podcast.

The Church's objections are actually rather odd. They're engaging in some very complex foot-dragging by complaining that the government's proposed legislation will prevent them from marrying same-sex couples – even though the bulk of the Church wouldn't want to, anyway.

Its position as the established church in England means its responsibilities apply to all those living in its parishes. The Church has suggested that not offering these rights to all might leave it vulnerable to human rights litigation coming from Strasbourg. Would the European court of human rights be able to intervene? What does the debate say about relations between church and state at present?