If you are smart but use the wrong heuristic for a given problem the results can look stupid even if you apply that heuristic very well.

When it comes to the scientists who has different standards for religious claims I think different standards for different domains are a good explanation. The person doesn't use the laboratory standards when the don't wear their lab coat.

But that isn't always bad. It very hard to have normal small talk in the scientific mindset. Small talk usually works much better when you don't overthink and don't inhabit yourself.

There nothing stupid about treating arguments as soldiers. It's more a matter of having goals that aren't about uncovering the truth.