I think you're failing to distinguish between an argument about objective reality and an argument about emotion and belief.
The Pope and Al Qaeda want to persuade you that their belief system is the best. Galileo wanted to prove to you that the earth revolved around the sun. Two different types of arguments.
So... are you saying that the author is trying to persuade us her belief system is the best, or that she's trying to prove objective reality?
And remember that belief of a certain state of objective reality is still, to outsiders, merely belief, not fact, especially in an area like this, which is full of misleading information on all sides.
The Pope and Al Qaeda want to persuade you that their belief system is the best. Galileo wanted to prove to you that the earth revolved around the sun. Two different types of arguments.