Just to focus on the title of the thread which seems to be getting a bit lost. IMO, there is an attempt by the original poster to assume that by using using words like "tolerance". "respect" "reconciliation", that we will come to accept the premise of the thread which is that we should respect the beliefs of religious folks.
I DO NOT respect the beliefs of religious people. I DO respect their right to believe whatever they want, regardless of how asinine, harmful or delusional that may be. They have the right to believe whatever THEY want .
Don't for a minute assume or demand that this respect carries over to your actual belief systems. An important distinction that can easily get lost in the noise.
