I’m reminded of how many followers of the Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, thought he was the Moshiach and would not die before he fulfills his messianic functions.

Well, he died, but the messianic movement is still strong. And many still believe he’s alive, just not “present”.

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Betting on “brute reality” to convince a fanatic is to underestimate the surprising flexibility of a fanatic’s mind.