The floods that have devastated swathes of the country are God's judgment on the immorality and greed of modern society, according to senior Church of England bishops.

One diocesan bishop has even claimed that laws that have undermined marriage, including the introduction of pro-gay legislation, have provoked God to act by sending the storms that have left thousands of people homeless.

While those who have been affected by the storms are innocent victims, the bishops argue controversially that the flooding is a result of Western civilisation's decision to ignore biblical teaching.

For Pete's sake, can you at least try not to sound like a bunch of witch doctors?

3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

Quality story. We have a "Guardian clicky" that points to the Telegraph, and that's the general standard of accuracy throughout.

If you see past your smug anti-religious prejudices you will notice that there is a journalist using cheap innuendo to sell you lies about two apparently innocent bishops (one is clearly mis-described and is just an environmentalist; the other makes a couple of ambiguous statements that the journo was too eager to interpret according to his story - he should have requested clarification).

Add to that the fact that Rt Rev Graham Dow retired in 2009, and this story is from 2007 and we're really doing the internet proud here today.

What a load of codswallop

So I suppose the flooding in Bangladesh is all their fault for being greedy and immoral too?

Sooner we do away with all religion the better.

In other news.... Bishop is a moron.