Laws Being Made Which Force Religion

Marriage is one of those things that is and has for thousands of years been honored differently among different countrys, cultures and religions. Many from these different groups live right here in our country and have practiced these customs for years. When laws are made requiring the standards of one group be adhered to by all groups ... this often forces other groups to adhere to beliefs that are contrary to their own religious belliefs. Is that the goal of those in this country ... to force others into dishonoring what they believe?
We have people from countrys who for years have honored the tradition of arranging marriages for their children. We have cultures that throughout history have honored the tradition of having more than one wife. We have churches around our country that for years have honored the unions of same gender couples and many who will not honor such marriages. Is it right that we make laws to stop all of these highly honored traditionsamong these groups just because they are traditions that we don't believe in? My faith does not honor polygamous marriage. Does that mean that I have to work to pass laws to stop those religious groups that do? Why? Particularly If this is a country that prides itself on the freedom of religious excercise.
Mainstream Christians have been allowed to freely practice the things they believe in here in America for hundreds of years now. They have televison and radio shows going all day long and proudly state what they believe. Why are they then so intolerant of other groups having these same freedoms? Christians would be outraged if they heard that laws were being made that limited any practice that was central to their faith , yet they freely and proudly talk about limiting the marriage tradtions of others whose faiths honor differnt practices.These groups are not demanding that mainstream Christians practice their beliefs. Why are mainstream Christians demanding by law that all groups honor their faith? It sounds very selfish to me. Talk back to us.
Pastor Karl