The rest of the comment illustrated my intent, which was not to suggest blindly adhering to religious dogma. When I said root your thinking in principles, it was implied that I meant your thinking in regard to matters such as those in my examples, and those which companies like facebook could have a hand in obfuscating.
Obviously critical thought must precede recignition of valid principles; and invalid “principles” (such as those promoted by the popular religions) are, in fact, not principles at all.