Sorry about your experience. I remember many years back when I first dabbled in quilting---we're talking 30+ years ago--if you even THOUGHT about machine quilting you weren't considered a true quilter. Machine piecing was accepted but machine quilting was pretty much quilt heresy. I'd say the pendulum has swung too far the other direction. Why does it have to be one or the other. A famous quote applies here: "Can't we just all get along?"
Just keep doing what you're doing and ignore the rude comments. My hat is off to you.