"1. 'Some critical thinkers have determined that religion is necessary'."

I think that if you managed to banish all religion from the earth (at least religion in the sense I mean it), humanity would reinvent it in a generation. Look at China. They got so close and suddenly there's a resurgence of religion and not just through foreign evangelism (Christian or otherwise). Quite a bit of it is domestic and spontaneous.

"2. Forms of marriage: let's not forget polyandry."

I at least mean plyandry when you say polygamy. I tend to thing most mean anything but monogamy when you say polygamy. Certainly it should be included.

"3. Gay Marriage could be resolved in an instant if we were all willing to call it something else."

The most interesting thing about the events of the past month is that they almost assure that some form of civil union will become the rule fairly shortly.

"4. I have had some very bad experiences with Christians. As a group, I fear and distrust them."

I have had some very bad experiences with People. As a group, I fear and distrust them. Treat them with caution and only trust when trust has been earned.