AN Exe Valley rector has likened occasional churchgoers' attendance at Christmas services to treating God "like an elderly relative of whom they are not very fond".
For many people, a visit to church to sing carols is a must during the festive season.But the Rev Steve Goodbody appears to suggest if that if they are not regular churchgoers they are hypocrites.
Mr Goodbody said that attending church one or two times a year was a "rather feeble response to God's amazing generosity".
He has created waves by saying in a column in the latest edition of the parish magazine Today: "With Jesus Christ, it really is all or nothing."
One reader said the rector's uncompromising message could discourage people from feeling they would be welcome if they did wish to attend a Christmas church service.
Mr Goodbody, who occasionally writes a column for the Tiverton Gazette, said it was a "sham" for people to "go through the motions" of attending church if deep down they thought the message was "a load of nonsense".
John Burton, of Washfield, took exception to the article and a further piece from another local clergyman, and replied to them in a letter, but the parish magazine declined to publish it.
Today is the parish newsletter for the Exe Valley Mission Community, which covers nine Anglican churches including Calverleigh, Stoodleigh and Washfield.
Mr Burton said it was a "well-read and much appreciated publication".
"We get news of all the neighbouring villages and churches," he added.
But he said he did not believe the magazine should be a forum for the unchallenged opinion of the clergy.
Also hin the December/January edition of the magazine was a piece by non-stipendiary minister John Roberts.
Mr Burton said that piece showed "barely-concealed" support for the stance of African bishops against same-sex marriage and "incessant revisionist teaching".
Mr Burton's letter said such a stance from African churchmen reinforced legislation outlawing homosexuality and the widespread persecution and murder of gays.
He said: "These two messages are at odds with what I understand to be the teaching and example of Jesus, and I think they should be openly questioned and debated.
"While regular church attendance is very important to some of us, such hostile messages from the clergy are unlikely to increase congregations.
"Jesus tells us that we are all equal in the sight of God, showing in story after story his concern and love for all those who experience prejudice and exclusion."
Mr Burton said he had spoken to the magazine editor who had told him that she had sought advice from Mr Goodbody, and his letter would not be published.
The rector felt that it would "change the nature of the magazine if it were to allow multiple points of view and all to have their say".
Earlier this year, it was feared the publication would have to cease, but a new editor came forward.
The Rev Ian Johnson, retired team rector of Southampton, who now lives in Tiverton, said some clergy might privately share these views but they might not express them publicly.
Mr Johnson said: "For 40 years I had a full church at Christmas and Easter and the rest of the year our churches were half empty.
"But I was still delighted that at this busy time people still wanted to attend good quality worship."
