Preaching to the choir, my friend. Although I choose not to pick a faith, or have any real beliefs in particular (I'm of the school of, "Live your life as best you can while you're here, and we'll all find out [or not] what the afterlife is like when we die, but until then, just be happy."), I support those beliefs you posed. And the things your friend said are what others have told me as well - that Jesus didn't put himself on a pedestal, and instead embraced everyone, and the church shouldn't be abusing the power of faith by acting like THEY are god.