Religious identity

[robvalue]

I agree. Allowing anything to become your entire identity is dangerous, and this is an area I see it happen in way too frequently.

When someone can't distinguish criticism of their God from themselves, that's a clear indication that this God is just an extension of themselves. If they really thought God existed externally and independently, surely they wouldn't feel he needs protecting. You protect a child because they are vulnerable; you speak up for them because they have trouble speaking for themselves. Why on earth would people think God needs protecting, or needs to be spoken for?