In an extraordinary outbreak of religious fundamentalism, the leaders of two of Britain's main religious faiths yesterday stood accused of heresy.
The chief rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, was summoned to Manchester to attend a meeting of orthodox rabbis to answer charges of apikoras - heresy - arising from his recent book The Dignity of Difference, in which he suggests that no religious faith contains the whole truth.
Meanwhile, Rowan Williams, the next archbishop of Canterbury, is to meet members of the Church of England's oldest evangelical body next week in an attempt to convince them that he is not a heretic over his views on homosexuality and the literal truth of some biblical stories.
The chief rabbi's crime appears to have been the passage in his book, published earlier this month, suggesting that religious leaders should listen to those of other faiths.
It said: "Each of us within our traditions must learn to listen and be prepared to be surprised by others. We must make ourselves open to their stories, which may profoundly conflict with ours."
It is understood that conservative rabbis in Manchester could still summon him to a hearing before their beth din - religious court - if they do not accept his defence that his words were intended for a gentile rather than Jewish readership.
If Dr Sacks is found guilty it would not only mean his having to recant the whole message of the book, but would discredit him with orthodox communities across the world.
Dr Williams has offered lunch next Tuesday to leaders of the Church Society, founded in 1835, who have been critical of his admission that he has knowingly ordained a practising homosexual, and other sins including attending a "pagan" ceremony - the Welsh eisteddfod.
A meeting of the society's governing council recently unanimously agreed to take a "robust" approach to the new archbishop due to his reported heresy on issues such as the uniqueness of the Christian gospel.
In an editorial this week, the reactionary English Churchman newspaper stated: "It is not enough to tell [Dr Williams] that he should be silent about his views; it is not enough to tell him he shouldn't rock the boat ... he must be told he is in error. He must be told he is a false shepherd of his sheep; he must be told to repent his views."
David Phillips, the society's general secretary, said: "Our fundamental concern is whether he is prepared to live by the teaching of scripture. I find his writings extremely difficult to penetrate.
"At the very least, his views about sexuality are a matter of gross error.
"There are folk who wonder what is the point of staying in the church, and there are days when I feel that too."