This is really only a list of platitudes. Let me show what really goes unsaid here:

* They are honest with themselves - only when others
agree with them.
* They resist manipulation - because they themselves
know very well the tricks with which they use to
"implement" their criticisms.
* They overcome confusion - only because they have
mastered the art of bamboozle. (e.g. you are a
well-known astrophysicist and you use this "fame"
into bamboozling the hoi polloi about religion even
though you know squat about it.)
* They ask questions - to divert attention from their
own questionable assumptions.
* They base judgments on evidence - which they pick
and ch...

This is really only a list of platitudes. Let me show what really goes unsaid here:

* They are honest with themselves - only when others
agree with them.
* They resist manipulation - because they themselves
know very well the tricks with which they use to
"implement" their criticisms.
* They overcome confusion - only because they have
mastered the art of bamboozle. (e.g. you are a
well-known astrophysicist and you use this "fame"
into bamboozling the hoi polloi about religion even
though you know squat about it.)
* They ask questions - to divert attention from their
own questionable assumptions.
* They base judgments on evidence - which they pick
and choose.
* They look for connections between subjects - and
ignore some possible ones that should be
considered.
* They are intellectually independent - yes, because
they are of above average IQ, but CQ-wise they are
pathetically no higher than the hoi polloi they wish to
influence with their criticisms.

The list of platitudes are indeed embraced by a lot of intelligent people, and of course it is already being taught at school, highschool, and the universities. Unfortunately man is not only intellect, he also has a spirit (for the atheist this is not connected only with religion). Hence, any critical thought based only upon the intellect is worth something only among the so-called "sciences". For me IQ + CQ = W (isdom).