Rebecca, you should be ashamed of this article, it is such stereotyped language and poor journalism!  True, Christianity is often misunderstood or misrepresented but the Bible is a very complex book inspired by an all-wise, all-knowing G-d and it is an art to try to distill it into simple truths.  The appeal is a return to morality and righteousness which I think you share?  G-d grants us freedom to choose what we or in whom we want to believe but if one professes to be a Christian then there is a code of conduct as informed by the Bible that one should aspire to.  The Bible teaches that G-d loves the sinner (every single human being) regardless of background, association etc, and desires them all to come to the saving knowledge of the Messiah.  And if one chooses to follow the Messiah then one must repent from certain acts that G-d finds offensive.  Association comes with obligations, in any sphere of life!  Repentance is a continuous process towards excellence & perfection!