Personally, I don’t think I ever forget about Hashem. Any time I’ve ever done anything wrong, I was always solidly aware of Hashem – I just felt like I needed to do what ever I was doing. I’m not sure that I understand how it’s possible to not be solidly aware of Hashem (I’m only speaking of myself obviously – I am not sure what goes on in other people’s heads. Obviously, I can also be wrong about what goes on in my own head/heart, but I really don’t think I am).
“Part of the discussion in this thread was supposed to be about exactly this: I’m not sure that the correct response necessarily means the most effective one.”
That’s interesting – I hadn’t realized that was your point. I’ll have to think about that. I think that the point of the response to the Rasha is precisely because it is the most effective for him. Of course, one could “taaneh” as I think someone already did that the point is for the others there. But I think that the point is for him as well. We don’t give up on anyone – certainly not another Jew.