SSM Plebiscite

[Thryleon]

This is a huge topic which is well beyond a footy forum, but at a bare minimum, you need to distinguish between the rank and file and the hierarchy in most religions, because IMO, the gap is huge. What you say about basic respect for others is indeed representative of the rank and file (who "generally" try to do good), not just contemporaneously, but also throughout history, where you had mendicant orders like the Dominicans which were established specifically to go out into the world and help others and generally do good. The church hierarchy is another matter entirely.

Exactly why attacking religion is wrong.  You want to attack the "CLERGY" of SPECIFIC religions and not religion itself.  As an orthodox christian, who donates what I wish, and receives nothing but spirituality in return, I resent anyone lumping religion into one category.  My local priest is a good family man, as the Greek Orthodox Church allows priests to be married and have their own church.  Our priest visits our family and knows and remembers everyone even though he is well into his 70's.  Where people use dogma to their own end, all they show you is how evil people can be.