@truean
You've a very empirical mindset. "This is a physical world with physical problems." Understand that that is not the only valid way of thinking, either.
Imagine if someone was standing on train tracks with a train coming towards them. They doggedly deny the train is there. Would you let them die, or would you not give a damn what they have to say and yank them out of the way anyway?
The train in question is not empirical, here. Unlike the analogy, you can't glance over and see it. But to some people, it's just as real, empirical or not. I, for one, would not blame them for not caring about your opinion.
There are tangible, empirical consequences to this line of thinking, such as the aforementioned face-punching-to-save-people possibility. And there are real life ones, like discrimination of many sorts. Just understand that it is not irrational to think this way. Empiricism itself is built on one grand assumption, while their opinions are simply built on another that you don't happen to share. You don't have to agree, but you really should understand why they might not give a damn about your not wanting to be "saved."
You're welcome to decry fanaticism and all that junk due to the empirical consequences, just like you're decrying the jerkass actions here. As I said, you don't have to share their opinion. Just understand you will convince no one who shares or understands their position by using empirical arguments. Your choices are to fight them without trying to convince them of anything (suggested), or logically debate them using their premises. Anything else is a waste of time.