Quote Originally Posted by BigJulie View Post
The union between a man and a woman and the definite possibility of offspring is a sacred union to many religious organizations.
Fantastic. More power to them.

Why do you believe that what is "sacred to many religious organizations" should have any impact on civil law in a multicultural, multi-faith, secular, Cons***utional Republic like the US of A?

Were it not for religion, the word "marriage" nor the meaning of it would not exist.
Nonsense. Marriage has existed across pretty much every culture throughout recorded history. As has religion, but there's no reason to believe that marriage came about as a result of religion.

It appears that the government wants to rape the church
That's an extremely offensive metaphor.

Is that what gay rights mean? That if we do not accept this behavior, that our ins***utions are penalized?
Of course not. It means that if you accept government funds, you must not discriminate. You're more than welcome to refrain from accepting government funds.

What does this mean for adoptions?
Uh, perhaps that gay people shouldn't be discriminated against?

For the right of who to marry?
You will remain free to marry the consenting adult of your choosing.

Can a pastor turn down a couple because they are gay
Yes.

or will his church be taken from him?
No.

Are we going to force doctors to perform abortions because of women's rights,
Red herring.

and pastors to perform gay marriages because of gay rights?
No.

Pastors are not currently coerced by the government into performing marriages they object to. If your pastor doesn't want to perform the marriage between Rush Limbaugh and his fifth wife, he is not coerced into doing so. Catholic priests regularly refuse to perform marriages for non-Catholics. No violation of the law there at all. Churches can even discriminate based on race.

Your church is, and will remain, free to refrain from performing marriages except between a white heterosexual cisgendered fundamentalist Mormon man and a white heterosexual cisgendered fundamentalist Mormon woman.

You're simply not permitted to establish those requirements on those outside your religion by the force of US law.