monkeys and ponies

I generally agree with you, and you know how much of a hot-button issue this is for me, but I do need to point out that it's just some (I will even go with "most") of the ultra-religious folks who are being irrational. I know a bunch of ultra-religious Christians and Jews (congregants, plus a minister and a rabbi) who believe in such radical notions as love, forgiveness and tolerance. And there were a lot of vocal Mormons who stood up in favor of equal rights -- opponents of Prop 8 delivered stacks of ribbon-bound petitions and carnations to the church headquarters (http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=13315&from=rss), and continue to to take action against discrimination (http://signingforsomething.org/blog/). (Some have even resigned from the church, which is a hell of a poweful statement.)