Calories equated (barring any extreme sensitivities), it's much ado about nothing.
Eat less processed foods, in general, for better health. Demonizing foods won't solve the thermodynamic problem of CICO.
Discussion
Just because obnoxious people might talk about this topic with religious fervor doesn't make them wrong.
Just because people cling to a practical truth doesn't make their position absolutely correct.
- You can be practically "right" on accident.
If being a bible-thumping-paleo/carnivore works for you, then by all means, keep at it! I respect your right to do so.
However, expect some justified pushback if you denigrate others by labeling them cowards.
I am an atheist and I eat meat and animal products. I am an individual with many uncorrelated opinions and I refuse to be boxed inside an ideology.
In my small sample size, religious people are as likely to get things right as any other group, when they think outside the confines of their ideological possession.
Furthermore religious dogmas incorporate useful ideas that have survived the test of time, including fasting or meditating.