Religious groups join, fight gay marriage in court  By BRADY
McCOMBS Associated Press Published:     "Our respective
religious doctrines hold that marriage between a man and a woman
is sanctioned by God as the right and best setting for bearing
and raising children," it says. "We believe that children,
families, society, and our nation thrive best when husband-wife
marriage is upheld and strengthened as a cherished, primary
social institution."   "The accusation is false and offensive,"
it says. "It is intended to suppress rational dialogue and
democratic conversation, to win by insult and intimidation
rather than by reason, experience, and fact."  They say they
have no ill will toward same-sex couples, only "marriage-
affirming religious beliefs," supported by sociological facts,
saying holding on to the man-woman definition of marriage is
essential.    But in a statement, Minter added that "the state
cannot exclude any group of people from a fundamental right
based on religious views held by some. Our societ