Some call it political correctness gone mad.

Others say it is the right step towards raising the level of decency in Canada.

Which ever side you are on, the same-sex marriage issue which has torn Canadians apart is setting the tone for a nasty and ugly federal election slated to be called sometime in early 2006.

Add to this Justice John Gomery's final report on Liberal corruption and fraud, warnings that the fiscal cupboard is becoming rather empty and the NDP screaming betrayal after not getting what they were promised for helping the government pass the budget, Prime Minister Paul Martin's promise to go to the polls early next year is sounding more and more like a political death wish.

Leading the charge to oust incumbent MPs, mainly Liberals, who voted for Bill C-38 are Catholics incensed that their institution of marriage "has been hijacked by the government and sinister forces."

This strong and growing lobby which some polls show has the backing of two-third of Canadians, is working behind the scenes from coast-to-coast painting those who voted for the same-sex marriage bill as being anti-pro life, for abortion, for euthanasia and anti-family values.

The strategy is already rattling some Liberal MPs who say they don't want to go to the polls next February and are urging Martin not to call an election 30 days after Justice Gomery releases his final report, as was promised.

One of them who articulated his fear recently was Catholic Liberal MP Tony Martin who said the forces that are not pleased with Bill C-38 "are actively organizing and working and getting ready for the next election."

The powerful Asian vote, which is closely aligned to traditional family values, is also being spun by religious leaders ranging from the Sikh Vatican in Amritsar to the Chinese-Christian leaders in Richmond and the mullahs in Canadian mosques who have lashed out against those that dared devalue their core beliefs.

Many in this corner say they did not ask for the fight. But if it is a fight the Liberal government wants, then they are ready to do battle to ensure that their religious institutions do not become irrelevant.

Their opposition is based on the belief that homosexuality is a behavioral choice rather than a natural or genetic orientation.

This group says their opposition has nothing to do with equal rights for gays because before the same-sex marriage issue was given life, there was a peaceful and amicable co-existence between homosexuals and religious institutions.

We are being attacked for holding fast to our core values, says the anti-gay marriage group.

While anti-same-sex marriage groups are rallying their forces, those who pushed hard for Bill C-38 to become a reality are not sitting by idly.

They have been quick to capitalize on Spain's recent and surprising legalization of gay marriages to counter arguments by Catholics.

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Spain's socialist prime minister, has become the poster boy for the gay rights movement after he convinced his nation that freedom of religion also includes freedom from religion.

There is also fear that pro-gay marriage advocates will go after the most vocal opponents of Bill C-38 using the hate-crime legislation.

"Once the state imposes a new standard affirming that homosexual behaviour is a social good, those who oppose it for religious motives or motives of conscience will be considered as bigots, anti-gay and homophobes, and then risk prosecution," warned Canada's top Roman Catholic cardinal Marc Ouellet.

The common consensus is that the same-sex marriage issue has divided Canada.

But you may want to look at it as a unifying force that gives Canadians the rare option to vote for politicians based on their actions rather than their promises.