You misunderstand, it was not a slippery slope argument at all. Take for example, your basic Anglican or Catholic church. I don't mean to be specific about denominations but it sets the right atmosphere. The clergyman may well understand and support things like evolution and metaphors in the holy texts (arbitrarily designated, it seems to me), but how often do they actually say it openly to their congregation? How often do they mention before, after or during a reading that this or that is only figurative or poetic, and they should listen to doctors or scientists for details? Ever? How is their flock to know? They could all go an research it themselves, but... seriously.
Sure, the smart ones are going to be well aware of the effort and cause-effect of their doctors' treatment of their children, but when the tale is relayed to the rest of the congregation you know great emphasis is going to be put on the prayers they made in their darkest moments, rejoice in the apparent answering of those prayers and thank god for interceding (as opposed to those doctors?). Is it any wonder people come to believe that prayer is actually useful, that with faith anything is possible, that faith is all you need to alter reality?
And then something stupid happens, and they're all "that's not what our religion is all about, no sir!" Well good job making that clear. Sophisticated religion my arse.
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