[Scribbler1]

The line, "thou shalt not kill" doesn't appear in the Muslim religion, or if it does it is apparently ignored. Theirs is a religion of intolerance and that is what we are discussing here.

I think if you believe in ANY religion you must by default believe in what that religion teaches and not what anyone else says. The problem is the colossal arrogance of some which not only defines THEIR thinking but allows them to comforably believe they should have the power to impose that thinking on others.

Just as with the aforementioned religion, many people in this country have adopted a religion of intolerance as well. And having their beliefs reflected in local and state laws is not even enough, as they want to make it a national issue. Their attitude is "my god said it to me, and although a lot of people don't have a problem with it as it doesn't personally affect them and even if you don't believe as I do you're just going to have to live with what *I* believe."

Bush's people know that as well and they just tapped into it. Unethical, but a brilliant political strategy. You notice the minimal coverage of the abortion issue? That's yesterdays news and it doesn't get votes. In this country a lot of religious people (and atheists as well) do not approve nor condone abortion and would NEVER consider having one, but feel they don't have the moral authority to impose that feeling on others. They also realize in all the years it has been legal, the country hasn't been sucked into the fires of hell. Not a good issue with which to play on people's emotions. The Bush campaign, however, has noticed that the gay marriage issue is a great emotion grabber. As for myself, I know that as I was growing up, there was no "Will and Grace" on TV and most people found that lifestyle repulsive, as did I. That feeling is in a LOT of people, but I have long since realized it's none of my business and when I see this brought up, I just muzzle my baser instincts and consider the reality of any percieved threat this issue is to the country. I find NO threat to the country so I don't consider the national banning of it an issue.
But since the fundamental christians have obviously forgotten that abortion didn't vaporize the country they focus on this new terrible threat to our very way of life. And Bush is right there to cleverly capitalize on that fear.

I also want to state for the record that I don't like gay marriage either, at least on a gut level, as that was how I grew up. I had the same gut reaction when I saw a black man with a white woman. I long ago discarded that racist viewpoint, but I will probably always have it with me, and gays holding hands on the street still makes me feel weird. However, like racism I just put a lid on it and realize it isn't hurting anyone.