Discrimination based on prejudice and discrimination based on moral convictions are two different things.
In this manner, I somewhat sympathize with the church. A Christian that disagrees with same-sex marriage is neither homophobic or hetero-sexist for that alone, although he or she may be.
I beg to differ. The views may result from a different cause (in this case, the doctrines of their religion), but they result in the same thing.
Since the modern evangelical church's stance is that homosexuality is a choice, we can't logically say that their stance is homophobic
Why not? Because the cause of their feelings towards homosexuals is different? A man who is racist against black people for reasons other than whatever the standard reasons people give for it is still racist against black people.
Oh, right, you're going to say that they think homosexuality is a choice so it's totally different. Well, then, we also can't complain if they persecute Muslims, right? I mean, we all know that's a choice.
In general I'm very tired of the label homophobe being used to describe anyone that doesn't 100% agree with a liberal attitude toward LGBT rights and or agenda.
Just like how some people are tired of the word racist being used to describe anyone that doesn't 100% agree with a liberal attitude towards interracial rights?
Overall, Ethan, I fail to understand how, in your mind, people can dislike gays due to their religion, but that doesn't mean they're homophobic or heterosexist or whatever the hell term's in use nowadays - but if people disliked people of other races due to their religion, would they still be racist, or would it be an entirely different situation? If you're against giving black people equal rights to white people, you are a racist, correct? If you're against giving gay people equal rights to straight people... well, things are entirely different, especially if your religion tells you so!
Explain, please.