> No one is stating this literally -- it's obviously easily disproven.

I can easily disprove you.

Here it is:

> For religious people there is always the single factor

Once again that line is:

> there is always the single factor

Lets zoom in

> always the single factor

Continue zooming in

> single factor

> while the surgeon did have a hand in the outcome, some god intervened in the process and allowed/enabled it to occur

Yes, as in multiple factors, enabled by God. Note, you mention the surgeon having a hand in the outcome. How could that then be a single factor?

> You have to understand that to the rest of us, this belief is absurd and hard to take seriously.

Ok, but don't argue that I'm stating its a single factor as if I don't give a shit about the fact the doctor spent a lot of effort to be trained and all the thousands of years of healthcare led to that knowledge being given. I can absolutely still respect and acknowledge that...meaning...not a single factor.