I want to agree with you, however, an approach listed

A discussion of why you feel the topic is important and worthy of study (or not)

seems to fit what the student did. They in so many words explain their feelings that the claims of the article are unworthy of study by stating an opinion based on backward dogma & distorted mythology. While I disagree with their position, my approval isn’t a stipulation of the assignment, which barely has any.

Religious & dumbass opinions can & probably should be debated as has historically been done in a liberal arts & sciences education. We can absolutely challenging dumbass religiosity by arguing how it conflicts with open inquiry, science, and the rational pursuit of objective truth. Some might say challenging our thinking is the basic purpose of a liberal education program.

Unless more stringent stipulations for the course are written elsewhere that we missed, I think this is a failure to set stipulations appropriately.