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Thank you oh so very much for your outstanding, illuminating essay-post, dearest sister in Christ!

Regarding "This attitude of not permitting questions regarding their premises — questions that would immediately explode the system" — as "the general tactic employed by ideologists in discussion" — I'd say some of our collaborators here at FR daily show that they are definitely using this tactic. You can't get any of these people to answer a straight question!

That has certainly been our experience these many years.

Then, they just tend to slither away — but usually, not before a parting insult to their collaborator and his/her religious tradition (CHRISTIAN. They only seem to go after Christians. Go figure!)

Truly, our correspondents rarely attack any other belief. But that is to be expected:

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. - 2 John 1:7

And I note the mocking use of term "dearest" in the conversation which followed your wonderful essay. And, as usual, that conversation has been directed away from the very issues you addressed here.

And I note the mocking use of term "dearest" in the conversation which followed your wonderful essay. And, as usual, that conversation has been directed away from the very issues you addressed here.

Of course I noted that too, dearest sister in Christ. It's "par for the course" with this correspondent: Sneer, and rather than answer direct questions, change the subject.

People may wonder why I continue to engage with such bad-faith correspondents. My explanation: I have a simple duty to warn. See Ezekiel 33: 7–9:

So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.
If I say to the wicked, O wicked man, you shall surely die; and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.
But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way; he shall die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your soul.

Thank you ever so much for your kind words of support!