I know this was locked, but I still want to put my thoughts out there:
Drew. I understand your basic premise for the argument and do not in any way commend or view you differently because of your religious belief(s). However, as Netham said you did not bring it up in a way that would provide for insightful and analytical discussion; you brought it up for debate and hatred. This is why (in my opinion) people rated you down. I personally, would have liked to give you a +1 on the first post because you spoke your mind, and I believe you should be rewarded for it - but then I read on. As you got deeper into the post it changed from your views to your views of others, and this is where you blew it. Specifically, this line:
I don't have to respect your religion - in fact, I don't. But I do tolerate it, and please accept that as enough.
In fact, you do have to respect your religion if you expect others to respect your own religion. It's as simple as this: if you give people your respect, they should respect you. Until you learn to abide by that, others will not respect you as much as they would if we looked at you by your coding-skill alone. Please, Drew learn from this. If you accept, tolerate, and respect others' views, beliefs, and morals, they will do the same to you.