While I'm not entirely sure whether I'm on board with all of your metaphors, I do agree with your point that it is entirely impossible to convince someone of something who isn't open to it.
I don't think we even need to talk about paranormal things to make this point. Look at anything growth related. How often has someone offered us an excellent piece of advice and we've thrown it away because it didn't mesh with our views for one reason or another. Then, later on, when the situation changes for us (likely because of our firsthand experiences) we suddenly accept the advice as brilliant. Who knows, we may even claim falsely that we hadn't even seen the idea before if we're really not being honest with ourselves.
Yes, many believers are naive and would just as readily accept spurious explanations in any realm. Just because a few are like that, doesn't mean everyone is.
Also, for a story of my own. I recorded my reading with Erin a while back. I showed it to close friends and family to ask their opinions. Every believer was wowed with how accurate it was. Every skeptic responded "well I guess we at least know it's not for real now." I don't think anything has ever driven this point home for me like that firsthand experience
For all of these reasons, I think you could have given Divi what he was asking for without any worry about his "free will." Of course, I still doubt you would (and you'd be right not to) because it's hardly likely to accomplish anything. While Divi could be a special case, I'd say with about 95%+ of people it tends not to be.
Still, in Divi's defense, when I was already open to exploring but was short on my own experiences, I had a few spiritual friends who just laughed at every question I asked of them. After they were done ridiculing me, they refused to answer. I found it incredibly discouraging and with the benefit of hind sight, I actually think much of their behavior was for the benefit of their ego. I know that's not what you're up to Steve, but it doesn't stop me from wanting to give some encouragement to anyone who feels like they need permission before they go explore on their own. I know I could have used some.
P.S. Just as a sidenote, I read a few more threads after I was done here. There was a lot of poking fun at skeptics there. I could trot out quotes, but I'm hardly that determined. I'll admit that I don't get it. If you believe and you're frustrated with them, why not just leave them alone? Answer any heartfelt questions you get when you receive them, but beyond that leave it be. Sometimes I get the feeling that people enjoy teasing others "less enlightened" than they are on this site. Of course, I could say that many skeptics enjoy calling believers stupid idiots, but if you really believe you know something that they don't then isn't the burden on you not to react?