I've always liked your logic, we may not always agree, but honestly id rather speak with someone I disagree with respectfully than with someone I completely agree with because I usually learn something
I've always seen a good debate as a way to either sharpen my arguments or possibly learn something new. And this is a good example, most people make huge illogical leaps when you criticize things they hold dear.
In other words, he was saying that freethinking (and by extension critical thinking) was worthless. That's fine by me. He can have his unwavering dogma. I'll be here in the 21st century with my freethought and logic :)
When I actually attended church all those decades ago most people there did maintain their free thought. Of course I was a Presbyterian and do live on the Left Coast. :D