A course at Edinburgh University which promotes the traditional marriage as the best setting for a sexual relationship has come under fire from other students who have branded it "homophopic".

The 'Pure' course run by the Christian Union teaches the 'Orthodox Christian teaching on relationships and sex' - centred on the biblical view that sex was intended by God within the lifelong commitment of marriage.

Now the university's Student Representative Council (SRC) has branded the course "homophobic" and is calling for it to be banned.

Activists have also warned the university's management that they will do all they can to disrupt the course, including picketing, when it starts on Monday unless it is scrapped, reports Edinburgh Evening News.

Even the university's chaplain has failed to defend Christian Union, after he said the course could no longer be held at the chapel for fear of upsetting people.

CU staff worker Matthew Tindale, however, has defended Pure and denies it is discriminatory against homosexuals.

He said: "This is looking at the orthodox view on marriage, which says there should be no sex before marriage.

"If a heterosexual man came along who sleeps around, I am sure he would find it uncomfortable too.

"This is not about discriminating against homosexuals.
"Christian teaching shows that all sin is treated the same way, whether you are homosexual or heterosexual."

The course will be spread over eight sessions. Tindale said that it would only look at the issue of homosexuality within its biblical context and that it would be open to everyone to attend.

CUs across the country are due to run the Pure course, which has met with widespread criticism and even prompted the launch of a counter-campaign called Stop Pure by liberal students and gay and lesbian activists.

Activists at Edinburgh are pushing for a campus-wide ban while Tindale said the CU was now writing to the university's principle asking for a new venue.

Tindale said CU would be forced to cancel the event if it failed to get the university's backing.

"It is part of the Christian faith to follow the rules of the land, so the CU will not do it if the University bans the course, though we would appeal it."