I'm not quite sure what's offensive about the comparison to people who form religious beliefs. I mean you do realize religious experiences are often real and have biological causes in the brain? As long as they don't impose very large costs on others or themselves I fail to see why we should be less accepting of such religious people than say transsexuals.

So to add a third possible explanation, I find it more likley that "religious" and "religion" are much less of a boo light than half a year ago. The vocabulary has shifted.

Edit: For reference I don't think my opinions on transsexuality and your first entry have changed since half a year ago.