“Do you believe in the firmament?”
A reminder to anyone thinking about engaging in a debate - ask that question first.
Before you spend time explaining, sourcing, or breaking things down, start there.
If the answer is yes, you’re done.
There’s no discussion to be had.
You’re not dealing with someone evaluating evidence - you’re dealing with someone committed to a literal, unfalsifiable structure placed over reality, sourced from authority they consider beyond question.
That belief isn’t being tested. It’s being protected.
And once you recognize that, everything else becomes obvious:
Nothing you show them will matter.
Nothing you explain will land.
Nothing you say will move the needle.
At that point, the most rational response isn’t to keep going.
It’s to stop.
Or, if you feel like acknowledging it:
“Ah, got it.”