This is exactly the problem as to why you and I can't have a discussion about anything.
You think I'm trying to compare animal abuse to infidelity or sexual morality. I'm not. One clearly has nothing to do with the other. What I'm trying (unsuccessfully) to point out is that when you try and take the moral high ground, someone else will take it with you, because there are no absolutes.
We all come from different places, we have different views of right and wrong, and when you project your own views of right and wrong as absolute fact in a public forum, you should have every expectation that someone is going to take issue.
There is a distinct difference between these two statements:
A) I believe that it is abusive to dogs to leave them outside and never let them in the house because...
B) You are an asshole if you leave your dogs outside...
A refers to an opinion. B projects your morality on someone else's actions, which you really have no right to do UNLESS you don't mind someone doing it to you. Which, given your views regarding "puritanical religious freaks", you clearly DO mind.
(or, said differently, don't dish it if you can't take it?)