rob,
I think that I can change just one or two words in your comment & be equally accurate.
“There are people today (and,to my mind, unfortunately, rabbonim) who instinctively dismiss a so-called stricter or less-inclusive approach”.
“There is absolutely as much validity to a harsher view as to a lenient view”.
BTW, Nowhere does it say that finding leniencies is “stronger” or “better”. Take a look in Rashi & Tosafos “on the spot”.