Something I always remember and try not to repeat too often: a robust, living faith welcomes questions, can answer criticisms cogently, gives mockery a pitying smile and asks the state only for neutrailty. Such brittleness as described in this post indicates a 'faith' that is already moribund. The kind that begs the state for help in suppressing questions, criticisms and mockery. It looks as if that's where the established pat of American Christianity is today.