[SmootSmack]

I've said this a few times, I lean conservative in many respects. And I know that puts me in the minority when it comes to the more active voices on this site. It's true the conservative voices are often dismissed and ridiculed on this site. Some deservedly so, like Buster. Others, such as FRPLG, should be heard and respected. But there's no denying the pervailing tone here is left-leaning. (though curiously not so much, when you actually ask people how they lean on specific issues). I probably wouldn't go so far as "encouraged not to post" That makes it sound like the mods are suggesting if they post they will be banned, or some such action would be taken against them. That's just not going to happen.

I consider myself religious, I believe in God, I pray, I'm not a wacko. I have nothing against gays. I know gays. Some of my best friends are gay (yeah I went there with that). And I think they should get benefits. I think it's ridiculous that say irish and offiss can truly love each other, move in together, spend 10 years together and should, God forbid, anything happen to one of them the other won't get the same benefits that say Gmanc and Dynamite Rave could get should they decide to elope after one night of drunken debauchery at the Bellagio. To me, it seem backwards.

But I think understand Beem's point and I think more than that, we shouldn't be so quick to always thrown in the word "Whacko" when talking about religion. If you're not religious and you don't believe in it that's fine, but I don't think there's a need to generalize.