Unfortunately, too many athiests try to define democracy as debates and laws void of religion. Let the people decide. Let the athiest and faithful cast their votes together, without denying either the right to do so. That's democracy. Democracy means that the people decide. If the people decide to encorporate a religious principle, such as "Love thy Neighbor", then that's their right. If they decide to define marraige as between a man and a woman, and the people's vote sustain it, then that's their right as well. One of the misfortunes of some religions in America is the removal, or denial, of challenging the principles of that religion. But not all religions teach this limiting principle. Some religions encourage its members to test the principles being taught to discover truth for themselves. If someone claims that a principle came from God, can't other people pray to that same God to confirm it? A few churches actually teach this, but unfortunately most don't. Verifying the source and seeking truth for yourself is democracy in theology. All religious and non-religious principles can and should be challenged in the sincere persuit of truth.