Led by Democratic New York state Sen. Rubén Díaz , a Pentecostal pastor in the Bronx, tens of thousands of Christians are expected to gather outside Gov. David Patterson's Manhattan offices on Sunday afternoon to protest his moves to bring same-sex marriage to the state.

Díaz, who is ordained through the Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.), said Patterson disrespected the Catholic, Jewish and evangelical communities by introducing the gay marriage bill April 16, just days after Easter and Passover week.

"I'm telling the governor he's being disrespectful," said Díaz, pastor of Christian Community Neighborhood Church in the Bronx. "On Sunday, it is a good possibility that someone in the rally will ask him to resign."

Of course, whatever one's view on marriage equality, Gov. Patterson was certainly not "disrespecting Catholic, Jewish and evangelical communities" merely because he announced the bill a few days after Easter and Passover. That is more than a stretch. Diaz also presumes that all Catholics, Jews and evangelicals are anti-marriage equality, which is very far from the case.

For his part, Rodriguez said:

"This is not a political issue. It's a God issue, and we can't stay in our pews praying," said the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the NHCLC.

Although the NHCLC has been known for its activism around immigration reform, Rodriguez said he believes the group misplaced its priorities by emphasizing immigration over the sanctity of life and traditional marriage.

"Immigration is one of God's values, " Rodriguez said. "But when we have to prioritize, if we are faithful to life and marriage, God's going to be faithful to making sure we get comprehensive immigration reform."

While the Religion Industrial Complex apparently thought that they were standing on common ground with a moderate evangelical, apparently they were wrong on both counts.

Meanwhile Rodriguez is emerging as a leader of the new Religious Right.  One indication is his recent announcement  of a "Strategic Partnership" with Liberty Universtity, founded by the late Jerry Falwell.

"It's a natural fit", Rodriguez said.