I called a friend who is a believer...

[robvalue]

I have a hypothesis that some theists either won't give the real reason they believe, or perhaps don't actually know what it is, and so present strawmen of themselves. Rationalizations.

My evidence for this is that dismantling these strawmen has absolutely no effect. Another is put in its place, similarly easily vanquished. Then another. Then back to the first one as if it never happened.

I think some people are embarressed to say the real reason because they know what people will likely think about it.

Just a hypothesis