As in Sam Harris' book, The End of Faith, i think that many of us hve ben way too 'pc' when confronted with irrational viewpoinits clothed in the imunity of religion--or faith.
Religion would seem to be superstition believed by enough people. Astrology is, I believe, a superstition, but it rates daily newspaper columns. UFO sightings , the forthcoming rapture--what's the difference?
The difference is that when a superstition gets enough followers,. enough needy citizens looking for certitude that life, alas, doesn't offer, it starts to elect priests, collect money, and, way too soon, wage war on the nonbeleivers.
In most discussions/arguments. flaming zealots (true believers) tend to outshout us wimpy secular humanists. foolish enough to admit to uncertaiinty now and again. Rush Limbaugh trumps Bill Moyers every time.
WE ought to care, because the Pat Robertsons and their ilk are so dangerous. I think it is time to call narrow minded fools fools. The creationists, the anti stem cell, anti science,anti global warming true elievers and tier poster boy, George W
Bush, threaten us all. It's time to call superstition by its right name.