the question is how do they convince the average person to defend their actions

This is a case of reverse projection. The party of Jesusness wishes it were so, and in wishing they were jesusy they see the thoughtful liberals who actually act in a Christain/Islamic/Bhudist belief system, living that ideology every day. They are jealous and frightened, insecure in their McMansions and cloistered, gated communities. They drape themselves in the cloth of pseudo religious dogma and shout themselves hoarse claiming their righteousness. It should not need to be said, but, if you need to shout your righteousness, and argue to convince others of your Christianity, and lash out violently against any who look askance at your antics perhaps you are just caught up in a swirling whirlwind of reverse projection. Keep tilting against that whirlwind, perhaps someday it will stick to you and you will acquire that which you seek.

Our Cafeteria Christians are hoping to prove a camel can pass through the eye of a needle AND a rich man can enter the kingdom of heaven! So there, Jesus, you freakin' Liebral!

To do anything, a society need revenue. We aren't going to get revenue if we elect Republicans and right wing Democrats. So, please, wake the fuck up. Supply side is a myth.

The Republicans hijacked the religious right back in the 70s/80s with their anti-abortion and anti-gay stances. That brought the rubes to the polls for the last ~35 years which freed these elected assholes up to do whatever the fuck they want - Priority 1 being to suck the orafices of Wall Street (ie, the people who pay for their election efforts).

They gerrymander districts to make sure they are "safe" and off we go - they take the Wall Street cash and stand in the back of a pickup truck with a megaphone and rail about God, Guns and Gays.

Rinse and Repeat.

Just like (imaginary) Supply-Side Jesus taught.