"You said you are a secularist who values knowledge gained from critical thinking. Some critical thinkers have arrived at the conclusion that religion is essential to humankind. Are they allowed in your philosophy?"

Allowed? ALLOWED? (That's in answer to your capslock question).

What would be the point of denying the existence of people with a particular opinion, just because I don't agree with them?

OK GUEST, then answer the question. Are they allowed in your philosophy, or are critical thinkers only real critical thinkers when they agree with your definition of critical thinkers? I don't want to have a pissin' contest with you, but maybe that's where this has to go. Your call.