Christian fundamentalistic movement in USA?

[Thorne]

I can't really speak for "most" religious people. TMy instructors did not so claim. Nor have I had that experience from members of other religions with which I have spoken. That even includes the Seventh Day Adventists and the Witnesses.

First, ask those people if it is "moral" to deny persons basic rights because of their faith. I think most would say no.
Second, ask those people if it is "moral" to deny persons basic rights because of their skin color. Again, I think most would say no.
Third, ask those people if it is "moral" to deny persons basic rights because of their sexual orientation. You might be surprised how many say yes. And where do they obtain this high, "moral" insight? From their church.

Morality is, perhaps, even more fundamental than religion.

Check out some of the comments made by religious people on atheist blogs. They seem convinced that one cannot be "moral" without religion. Yet it is the religious who deface atheist billboards. It's the religious who allow their children to die horrible deaths for the sake of their faith. It is the religious who deny wrongdoing by priests, despite evidence to the contrary. It is the religious who will stone women to death for being human.

Yes, morality is indeed more fundamental than religion. But it is religion which perverts morality towards its own ends.