So, when I speak to a creationist, I ask this question: “Can you be brutally honest with me?” When he says that he can, I ask, “this has little to do with the mythological character of Gemesis and everything to do with your anxiety in face of cosmic insignificance and lack of control over fate. Am I right?” And, in almost every case, the reaction is an admission that his problem isn’t Genesis being myth rather than fact but his narcissistic insecurity. That’s the point of offense.
So, when I speak to a Republican, I ask this question: “Can you be brutally honest with me?” When he says that he can, I ask, “this has little to do with morals and everything to do with you hating people who aren’t millionaires, especially if they are women, queer and/or a member of an ethnic and/or religious minority. Am I right?” And, in almost every case, the reaction is an admission that his problem isn’t morality but his bigotry. That’s the point of offense.
So, when I speak to an Evangelical, I ask this question: “Can you be brutally honest with me?” When he says that he can, I ask, “this has little to do with the non-existance of God and everything to do with you wanting to have an easy way to calm your conscience whenever you scam your followers, vote for a fascist, cheat on your wife with the babysitter, cheat on your wife with anonymous men at the airport, cheat on your wife with your own underage daughter, use a mild ejective, et cetera, all without having to actually confront the actual victims, while telling yourself that you are no worse than everyone else and indeed that everyone ought to do as you say, don’t do as you do. Am I right?” And, in almost every case, the reaction is an admission that his problem isn’t God’s non-existence but his moral demands. That’s the point of offense.