Well the ones with the smallest minds tend to have the loudest mouths (or at least the opinions we pay more attention to and remember more), so yes that effect can occur.

Thank God (literally) that not all religions have fallen into that trap. That was a Dark Ages adaptation of religion. Unfortunately many still hold on to it because it is easy.

A stove is a stove, no matter where you go...

The point being that it's all about love and acceptance... except towards people who disagree. I will admit that the double standard is quite frightening and disappointing sometimes.

There's nothing wrong with learning facts. Those aren't where the lies exist. Besides, facts in themselves are essentially meaningless -- what matters is how we choose to interpret them. We see facts (this is assuming the facts are true, of course), combine them with subjective background knowledge, and then we create implications, assign the facts to a priority hierarchy, build arguments and conclusions, and quite literally decide for ourself what the fact means. I think it's absolutely critical to differentiate between the facts themselves and all the interpretation that we build around them. That's where the mistakes are made.
Am I making any sense?

And there we are putting words in my mouth again, just like every single time. Usually it doesn't happen this quickly though. :P

Only common because, frankly, it's true, pripyat.

Hey, you speak for yourself. I gave up swearing in middle school. (Not trying to sound self-righteous, I'm just saying, my experience and observation says otherwise)

^AMEN

If you don't want to be poor, don't buy anything you can't afford. Same thing, I suppose.