Myths are stories that express meaning, morality or motivation. Whether they are true or not is irrelevant.

Human history is highly nonlinear and unpredictable.

Providentially, learned habits can be unlearned, especially in the context of moral groups.

To be a fully functioning moral agent, one cannot passively accept moral principles handed down by fiat. Moral principles require moral reasoning.

Plato wove historical fact into literary myth.

Scientists like Bjorn Lomborg in The Skeptical Environmentalist have, in my opinion, properly nailed environmental extremists for these exaggerated scenarios.

So, of course, Gish's presentation was well received, which it would have been the case had he only gotten up and said "praise the Lord" and sat back down.