I can respect that, even as an atheist.
"I think people attack me because they are fearful that I will then say that you're not equally as patriotic if you're not a religious person,"
They must be confusing Bush with his dad, who actually did say that. And this American, apparently incapable of being patriotic because he doesn't believe, fought in a war under that twit.
Are you sure George H. W. Bush really said that? I had an online argument with a hardcore lib last summer and the only sources he could provide were veeery sketchy. I'm not saying it didn't happen, I just haven't seen any credible source for it.