Councillor John Hogg insists his decision is not an attack on homosexuals, but a rejection of the leadership which supported the ordaining of Rev Scott Rennie to his new post.

While Councillor Hogg said there was no question of him leaving the church and he would continue to worship at his local kirk, he had relinquished communicant membership.

He described it as a difficult ethical decision, and since he had declared church membership in all his election campaigns, he had to make voters aware of a change in circumstances.

Councillor Hogg, a member for the Heldon & Laich ward, claimed the General Assembly had fudged the issue of ordaining openly practising homosexuals.

He said: "I am, therefore, left with no option but to relinquish that communicant membership whilst continuing to support and attend Alves Church.

"My decision is based upon three issues; two linked and one separate. Firstly, the General Assembly's challenge to the authority of the Bible with, and secondly, the undermining of Christian authority in the developing world and, thirdly, the assembly's tacit acceptance of medically-dangerous practices.

"Great, timeless, fundamental wisdoms are denied; Christian authority in some of the world's most desperate societies weakened; scientific and medical authority is discounted.

"One crucial issue for me is the distinction between homosexual celibacy and activity. Just as fornication and adultery preclude moral and spiritual authority, so must homosexual practices."

The General Assembly supported Aberdeen Presbytery's decision to sustain the call from Queen's Cross Church in the city to Mr Rennie – the church's first minister to publicly declare that he is homosexual.

His appointment attracted both demonstrations and support, with the majority of his new congregation backing his move there. He took up post in May after the Church of Scotland voted in favour of the appointment.

Councillor Hogg declared his church membership in all three of his election campaigns since 1999. While that position had altered technically it had not changed spiritually, he said.

He has not discounted the possibility of asking to be re-admitted should the church change its view. "There is no question whatever of my leaving the kirk, having nothing to do with my commitment as a Christian.

"But, when leadership proves to be seriously flawed, that leadership must be rejected until it gets back on track," he added.

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