You want to win the nones? Treat ‘em rough.

That is word for word the final conclusion of H.W. Crocker, a Catholic historian and novelist, in an article published in Crisis Magazine on November 28, 2028. And he means it. Consider his statement.

Too often I hear: “Thank you, sir, but I’ll cast my lot with the satanic forces of darkness—they’re not so bad.” To which I reply, “Then God go with you—you idiot.  “You idiot” is crucial to that exchange. It is, I believe, one of the most useful but neglected phrases in any effective evangelical strategy.

Without context, this statement sounds shocking given the historical reputation of the Catholic Church. However, it is not so shocking given his argument. Remember, this is a Roman Catholic perspective.

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