Thanks for your comments Number20, and I totally agree with what you are saying about not labelling a whole religious movement because of the actions and opinions of some of it's members who have obviously missed the point. As you point out Jesus hung out with 'questionable' citizens, and surely this should be an example to all of us. Let me stress that I have absolutely no problem with any of the teachings of Christ - What I have a problem with is the man-made institutions built up around those teachings and the attitudes mentioned by Gaffer that have sadly arisen from some of the people in those institutions. I also have a problem with a lot of the old testament and poeple who blindy believe in it's every word in a literal way. However, the new Testament (i.e the teachings of Christ) are A-OK, and I think if people would just open up their minds they would see that Jesus, the Buddha, and probably a few other religious characters (who I am not familiar with and therefore can't really comment) were all talking about the same thing, just in different terms.

I also take your point about not neccessarily understanding everything but having faith anyway. That is fine, but what I was really talking about are the people who don't even think for themselves. They just get told something as a kid and that's it. My Grandmother is one of those people - she was raised catholic, taught a certain way and that is the end of that (although in her defense she works in the fashion industry and comes across many gay people and does not treat them any differently even though she does not agree with what they do, so I respect her for that - she has compassion for everyone, even 'sinners').