Do the Dance
Many years ago I asked a question of a history professor about an event in the past. It had to do with the Byzantine social contract. Emperors were lynched on occasion. He replied I could not understand the answer. What?
We, he continued, were taught a reasoning system the does not allow us to understand things that are crazy.
We are talking about a power and control struggle. It's not about the discussion it's about dominance. A more common term is bullied
Being overbearing using quotes our of context while being sarcastic
is a warning sign of being attacked by a true believer.
Frequent attempts to siphon the topic. Siphoning is a method of moving the discussion or changing the direction when it is getting too hot in the kitchen.
Using analogies to move the discussion to the analogies. It starts thusly. This topic is like a goat stampede in Volnavia. The discussion will move on to the danger of getting radiation poisoning from you crock pot.
Also subtle and not so subtle attacks could be sprinkled in the mix. Usually the attacks having to do with ignorance or stupid (they are different). Toward the top of the list is that you do not have the "Secret Knowledge." Also, name dropping can be used"...when I was going steady with Lynda Carter."
Next when the going get tough start using information from Wikipedia or some highly biased source. Also, you may get slammed with long list of quotes taken out of context to prove a dubious point. It's also possible to introduce some fake news for excitement. In extreme example there will be long numbered list of these quotes.
Also, you need to answer my questions. The questions are really disguised statements. There is usually a rehearsed dance that includes all of the stuff listed above. You may have to deal with a chorus of
zealots at this turn.
Bottom line is arguing with these people confuses
others and the bystanders cannot tell who is the nutball and who is not (sarcastic subtle personal attack.) Rant over.
Addendum: Wonder if one of the worst offenders has already posted on this thread?