I think you are confused because you are seeing everything through a lens of "us vs them" instead of "does this argument make sense". So when I point out that your argument doesn't make sense you assume I must be a "them".

In a discussion about the meaning of symbols used by a religion it is a counterproductive distraction to start asking if particular aspects of the religion are valid. Clearly you don't think any of the religious beliefs are valid. You are just throwing a wrench into the discussion.

So I am not "defending the church's teachings" when I ask why your wrench throwing is relevant to the discussion.