The African Methodist Episcopal church has taken a firm line against casinos and gay marriages.

However it is encouraging discussion on Independence.

The AMEchurch, which is the third largest church on the Island and represents nearly 7,000 people, took the policy stances at its annual conference last Sunday.

The edicts said:

That the AME church remains adamantly opposed to gambling in general and casinos in particular.

That the AME church welcomes and encourages the discussion of Bermuda?s independence from Great Britain.

That the AME church deplores same sex marriages and considers such to be against the express will of God.

The stance on gambling contrasts with the Anglican Church who are open minded on the issue. In November Bishop of Bermuda Ewen Ratteray said the laws were inconsistent and the local Anglican church had not formed a position on gambling.

Asked for his own views he had said: ?We need to come clean on and either legalise it all together or prohibit it all together.?