When one believes something it is admitting one doesn't know, you don't believe you are aware, you know it. As for being demeaned nobody can do that, one can only demean oneself. Criticism is merely the opinion of someone about oneself or ones own opinions. All religious beliefs are opinions and therefore open to criticism, indeed many scientific theories have an unproven basis on which the theory is based, quantum mechanics for example, the equations work but nobody really knows why, as Professor Feynman put it, " If you think you understand quantum mechanics then you haven't understood it". My opinion is that all religions have a kern of truth packaged in myths and distortions pointing to a truth that the mind can't comprehend, Even Buddhism which is more of a philosophy than a religion (much respected by Einstein by the way) has some ridiculous stories woven into it, people need wonders and miracles for metaphysics and religious leaders keep the opium rolling, it's a nice little earner.