All of that is true. I knew it even before I wrote the piece. They believe what they believe and they have very effectively inoculated themselves against cognitive dissonance by the simple method of not thinking critically.

I was raised fundamentalist Christian — young-earth creationism, premillennial dispensationalism and all that — so I know exactly which verses they’d cite in response, if they bothered to refute my argument at all. “Even Satan can cite Scripture for his own deceitful purposes!” they’d say. I just found this particular instance breathtakingly terrible, and I couldn’t let it pass without comment.

This piece was aimed not at those who agree with Falwell already, but at those who might disagree but still allow him and his ilk to speak for them. The task of “taking back the faith” might well be impossible at this point, but I can’t bring myself to stop trying.

Thanks, as always, for your thoughtful commentary!