Well, this conversation is just going in circles.  I'll just end it with this.  I know and respect lots of gay people.  I have several friends that are gay.  Contrary to you what you may think, mormons don't go around finding gay people, telling them they are abominations and they are going to hell.  

So, while you continue feeling hate and anger against religions.  I will continue being friendly with all my friends that are gay and enjoy the time I spend with them.  have a nice day.  

And you have a nice evening.

It's getting bad though. I honestly want numonex to come visit the US. Even moreso where I live, as I'm sure the South is the hotbed for religious fundamentalist assasins whose sole goal is to elect Sarah Palin and kill Obama.

Reading most of his posts, and how he usually words them, don't you think that numonex may be some weird malfunctioning AI?

I am on a mission from God to love and do good works, and prudently manage what I have so I can serve more effectively.  I hope this doesn't offend anyone, or seen as a problem.  I also hope having a desire and do good works is a NOT sign of brain damage.  I would hate to think that sanity and intelligence is measured by how little love and desire to do good works one has.  I also happen to believe the world would be a better place if more loved and did good works.

For some reason, this clip from the Fifth Element seems to fit somewhat at least:

The thing is, as much as it annoys me that certain churches oppose gay marriage, and I will debate with them all day about it, I don't care that much aslong as they don't oppose secular law that would allow gay people not members of their congregation to marry.

What gets me are people that force their own religious morality onto people thats its simply not applicable to.

What next, I can't marry because I'm an athiest? Or Muslims can't marry because they aren't Christian?

This is exaclty why the secular state exists, its impossible (or at least extremely hypocritical) to be a state that allows multiple ethnicities, religious demoninations and religions, non-believers etc unless that secular separation of church and state exists.

I'm sorry to say to the OP, athiests have been just as violent as religious leaders. Look at every country where Athiesm is the official religion of the state. China for example or the old Soviet Union. Both killed hundreds of thousands that we know of Christians and alot of other faiths. Probubly millions if we count those who were killed in secret.

Richard Dawkins himself in an interview said that religion should be wiped off the face of the earth. Thats alittle extreme don't you think whats he suggesting, how does he think we should wipe out religion?

Fact is their are extremists in all faiths and beliefs regardless of whether they are religious people or athiests. We just live in a sick day and age. You also forget all the athiest murderers have you been in a prison? No I bet you haven't but alot of the murder inmates are Athiests.

Their are to many extremists around, including everyone here who claims the world should be rid of religion. Their are so many nice relgious people. Muslims in Afghanistan welcoming our soldiers in for tea, I heard just a little while ago that a Canadian convoy got attacked near a farm, the Taliban came out of nowhere and the nice muslim man who owned the farm came outside risked his own life to bring the Canadians into his house so that they could defend themselves.

What about the thousands of charities that are promoted by religion. They are the reason Haiti and Pakistan are being helped. I have never heard of a single athiest organisation doing shit to help others in need. What about Martin Luther King and other great Christian, Muslim , Jewish leaders who promote peace and prosperity?

There are good and bad people and religion doesn't make a good person go bad, its like the morons who say guns kill people. People kill people not guns (Religion).

1. Atheism isn't a religion. Whilst atheists have been violent and commanded other to do violent acts it is never in the name of atheism; it's for a political/national/other ideaology. Religion on the other hand offers an easy tool of manipulation (much like political and national ideaologies). That tool doesn't exist with atheism and requires another to take its place.

2. Statistically, the vast majority of inmates are actually religious and not atheist. Whilst some may be atheists the majority are religious and to suggest otherwise is false. One could equally say (for the sake of debate) that a lot of Christians are homophobic. Some are, but it isn't indicative of Christianity or anything in general.

3. Non-religious charities exist and continue to do good work. No charity will ever do anything in the name of atheism (unlike religious charities) in the same way atrocious acts from Hitler and Stalin were not done in the name of atheism. Cancer Research would be one charity that does very good and important work without need of religous input/guidance.

"Sorry, just because your religion doesn't allow same sex marriage doesn't mean you should push your beliefs on others by supporting laws that force others to follow what your religion dictates."

Why shouldn't I support my beliefs by voting for legislation that I agree with?  That would make my belief system pretty pointless if I spoke one way and acted another.  Why are you bashing my freedom to not support gay marriage?  You are being the oppressive one.  Because you think they should have the right?  You are entitled to have that belief.  That's what makes America great.  It was the majority of the vote of the state of California that was the difference.

"From his post it seems like he holds gays at great contempt. Read his post again. Not to mention that he has no respect for religious freedom."

What in my post led you to belive that I have contempt for gays?  They have every right to fight for their beliefs just as I do.  My belief that they should not be able to marry has nothing to do with bigotry or hate.  The Bible does state that Homosexuality is an abomination before the Lord.  He destroyed 2 cities with that being one of the main reasons.  God sets the "standards" you want to argue about.  My religion does not.  I don't know whether you believe in a God or not, but if you don't than everything I just said will mean nothing to you.  I just want you to at least know the facts.  Please do not put words in our mouths.