Frankly, I do not agree with Dreher’s thesis in his book.
Theodore Dalrymple has pointed out that the way Communism controlled people was not primarily by lies (as Rod Dreher believes in his book “Live Not By Lies”), but by public humiliation. California novelist John Steinbeck put it this way: “An unbelieved truth can hurt a man much more than a lie. It takes great courage to back truth unacceptable to our times. There’s a punishment for it, and it’s usually crucifixion”. Moreover, Dreher’s “Benedict Option” calls for retreating and Christianity to move into monasteries to withdraw from society instead of fighting and resisting. Reteatig is just what the Left wants.
I agree with both of you and do not find the two positions mutually exclusive.
Having studied Jesus, but also Gandhi King, Lincoln, ..... I am a non-violent person as I realize that evil fears Love & Light much more than violence.
A strategic retreat can sometimes make sense. The Christian position is normally offense though. Our enemy would like us to be hidden in caves if alive at all.
I do agree that the first thing to do is see the truth. Religious persecution is in the move. The homosexual agenda is a club they use, in the name of rights, to marginalize and destroy Christians as “haters.” The lockdown has been used to deny us basic civil liberties, most notably the right to worship, evangelize, disciple.