It's amusing that, in my dotage, a militant atheist like me is spending time defending the religious.
Yes, it's amusing. And interesting. Are you aware of why you have developed this urge? Is it the common enemy, the left?
I am not a militant atheist or even, really, an atheist, merely non-religious. I defend the religious when I perceive them treated unfairly just like I defend others whom I perceive treated unfairly. I just don't see Christians being treated unfairly very often. The complaining Christians seem to me rather like the other identity groups who are way too easily offended and expecting PC treatment.
I understand, though, why identity groups are sensitive to the treatment. The benign versions are afraid that the characteristics of the dangerous versions may be applied to them by those on the other side with, shall we say, differentiation deficiencies. That's why immigrants are so sensitive to attacks on illegal immigrants and perceive nativism in the criticisms of illegal immigrants even when it isn't there. Certainly Christian fundamentalists don't want to be lumped in with and tainted by the violent Islamicists. That is very understandable. But denying what they have in common is still a shortfall in critical thinking that produces both a loss of credibility and high blood pressure. It seems to me that acknowledging the similarities gives you a more credible basis for countering any ignorance or excess on the other side.
My comment, in case you read it otherwise, was not remotely an attack on religion. It was simply yet another of my bids for critical thinking. The subject was irrelevant to my comment. Chihuahuas and wolves are both canines. Christian fundamentalists and Islamic fundamentalists are both fundamentalists. Those are facts. There is nothing inherently hostile in making that observation or challenging those who refuse to recognize the similarities.
As for the CNN program, I will form a conclusion after I watch it. The only thing in the Powerline piece that raised my eyebrows was the bit about Amanpour not being afraid. I will need to see all the quoted comments in context, though.
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