I've noticed an interesting pattern in the way that the really religious ask questions. It starts off as an innocuous question, something easy to put the respondent at ease. The next question, the real question they were hoping to have answered, is harder, but phrased in a way that hides its condescending nature. After the respondent answers the question, it's challenged, which introduces tension. The religious questioner exploits this awkward pause to espouse their religious beliefs. It's quite brilliant really. Additionally, it ropes onlookers in because they want to see how the tense situation is resolved. For now, I've just observed this in Christians, so I wonder if its universally applicable. I really hope that there's a religious play book where these deceptive tactics are documented; something better than the bible, like the double-secret bible that only people with the right decoder ring can read. I imagine it's issued to republicans in the mail; like with a large enough donation to the Bush-Cheney campaign.
