Ms. Dill Goes to Washington (but not really)

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." -The Declaration of Independence

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." -First Amendment to the United States Constitution

I would just like to point these two passages out for those who call themselves patriots while:

a) Opposing gay marriage

b) Not wanting to allow Muslims to be able to build places of worship in this country, those who are worried about the threat of Sharia and especially those who believe that Islam should be banned in America

Don't forget that the First Amendment calls for the separation of church (or mosque or synagogue or temple or any other religious institution) and state. If you don't agree with gay marriage on a religious level, fine, don't marry someone of the same sex, but you do not have the right in this country to ban others from doing so on religious grounds.

It looks like the First Amendment also calls for freedom of religion, whatever a person may choose. Now my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that Muslims have the right to practice Islam because the First Amendment protects that right. The same way it allows Christians, Hindus, Jews, Pagans, Sikhs, and any other religion that same right. You may not agree with their beliefs, but they still have the right to believe in them! (Or not believe in anything if they so choose)

Let's also note that the Declaration of Independence says that all men are created equal (even if they're not heterosexual) by their Creator, "our God" or the "Christian God", but whomever they believe their Creator to be.

So to sum this up, don't call yourself a "true patriot" while denying others their rights, because by doing so you are also denying the foundations upon which this country was built upon and that doesn't sound very patriotic to me.