Fair enough, and well enough said.
The following is a straight-up answer, not a rebuttal, since this isn't an argument. Just my opinion.
Religion in general: Contrary to what some would have us believe, the American system of separation actually works pretty well. Yes, there are people who would use the Government to promote their beliefs, and they need to be watched, but they
are watched, and for the most part their efforts generate more alarm than actual harm. Most run-of-the-mill believers are reasonably tolerant, but then it can be questioned how strongly most of them actually believe in the first place.
a) Yes, religion can promote civility. It depends on what the group holds as a tenant. Religion has also been used to promote just about every evil imaginable. It depends on what the people in charge can convince their followers of, for good or evil. I would add that it's my belief that the good ones far outweigh the bad. You just don't hear about them as much.
b) Evangelists are fine. I don't like them getting in my face either, but having been one I can understand that if you believe there is only one way to survive an afterlife then you also feel the need to tell as many people about it as you can. I don't mind - I like talking to people about pretty much anything.
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At it's core, marriage, is a religious ceremony.
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This is where I disagree. Marriage was created as a civil function, with a specific purpose. Religion got into it later. The problem is the civil side. What most of the protests have been about is the
laws that forbid it. Those laws are now changing, which I believe is the right thing.
I do agree with you that if a gay rights group (or any other group) tries to force a major religion to change their bylaws it could be construed as forcing their beliefs on others. The question is when does it become hypocrisy? Right after I moved to Utah the Mormon Church changed its rules on Black members holding the Priesthood (I had nothing to do with that, being neither black nor Mormon). Were black members hypocritical to push for that? I don't know the answer to that, and I don't even have an opinion, but here is the same thing. Are Gays being hypocritical trying to change religious groups to accept them, even when their most cherished Scriptures call gay sex "an abomination"? Again I don't know, but the question is a good one to discuss.
And that's
my opinion.
