Yes, open source is a "religion" for a lot of people -- elevating a class of tools to a level of exaltation that sees disagreement as heresy, that refuses to acknowledge its own logical holes, and that often disregards the realities and choices faced by the unconverted. Oh yeah, let's not forget the strident, angry responses delivered to anyone who questions whether it's the one true way for all right-thinking people.

Me, I'm no more or less in favor of open source than I am of proprietary stuff. I've used proprietary software that worked beautifully and cost effectively for my needs at the time. I've used proprietary software that was irrelevant, costly, or worse. Similarly, I've used open source software that worked beautifully and cost effectively for my needs at the time, and I've used open source software that was irrelevant, costly, or worse.

"But it's free" doesn't wash, because there's a cost of ownership regardless of the initial cost (training, support, etc.).

"But you can inspect the code" doesn't always wash either, because I don't always have the time or the people to do a thorough code review in addition to the testing I'd normally do. Or if you expect me to do a careful code review of every open source tool I use, that's an extra cost.

If I have a need for a software tool, I evaluate the candidates based on several factors, not just on the initial cost. I certainly don't base the selection on broad claims about a huge class of tools. Proprietary and open-source tools are both capable of meeting -- or missing -- my needs.

The bold religious declarations about open source are a LOT like sweeping declarations of the relative superiority of Jews, Christians, Muslims, etc. That is, it's easy to find really good and really bad examples of each, unless your zealotry has blinded you.