This country was founded on Enlightenment principles.
But good luck arguing with a Christian nationalist. Smashing your head against a concrete wall would be a better use of your time.
They believe in a metaphysical power, as the professor said, and they also believe that their point of view constitutes absolute truth.
They are theocratic and their metaphysical views contain some very strange ideas.
All of this would be fine, if they understood that their religious beliefs were their private concern.
But, no. They feel perfectly justified in trying to create a world in which an apocalypse would happen.
I live in a Evangelical Christian neighborhood.
Let's just say that hell will freeze over before I'll be inviting any of them to my home.
I guess I'm beyond the culture shock, and there are good and bad people in any group, but, in general, what I have encountered is appalling to me.
YMMV.