The official magazine of the Church of Scotland has criticised traditionalists who use the Bible to justify a position against homosexual practice.

An editorial in Life and Work magazine said that even those who do hold such a view do not take everything in the Bible literally.

The editorial said, "Every student of the Bible is a selective literalist. Those who swear by the anti-homosexual laws in the Book of Leviticus wouldn't publicly advocate slavery or stoning women taken in adultery.

“They presumably no longer accept biblical teaching on sexual matters such as polygamy and sex with slaves.

"And yet there are many who continue to be bound by a few biblical verses – none of them in the Gospels – about homosexuality, nowadays understood as a matter of genetics rather than lifestyle."

Homosexuality is expected to be a prominent issue at next month’s Church of Scotland General Assembly in Edinburgh. The Assembly will be asked to rule on the case of Rev Scott Rennie, an openly gay minister whose appointment has been challenged, despite support from his congregation.

The 2009 General Assembly will open on Thursday 21 May and close on Wednesday 27 May.

Other issues on the Assembly agenda include the need for the Church of Scotland to change its image and the work of the Kirk in transforming poorer communities.