I have had similar experiences with the evangelical people that I have known or encountered during my time here as far as their rarely publicly talking about politics. I am not sure anyone was arguing they openly and fervently do so — I certainly wasn’t. I was only speaking to their general beliefs and motivations from my own experience and many write-ups about the evangelical Christian community’s general relationship with Trump.
However, nearly all of those that I have encountered, when they did speak about politics, showed support (some strong) of Trump, and especially in connection with his actions (whether real or perceived) taken concerning Israel, the gay community, and abortion rights. I actually do not talk to a person from my Wednesday night league team from a few years ago because we had a falling out over a heated debate about Trump; they are very much an evangelical christian.
They did/do discuss their religious beliefs quite often. Some of those I have met, but not all, held advanced degrees, but not in religious studies (engineering, maths, and medicine).
This is of course also borne out of my limited personal experience. Though, based on a few analysis I have read, this seems to be more in keeping with the general trends in the evangelical community as a whole. It seems as though your friends are among the few I referenced in my original post (I said most, not all) that are sensible, relatively free-thinking, and not members of the apocalypse cult. And that is very good indeed!
Perhaps there is a difference in demeanour and core beliefs between Southern, Eastern and Western evangelicals? It is my understanding that the Sourthern block, which is considered to be the closest to Trump, is the largest, though.
But, and I think this is the bigger question (given anyone can remain silent publicly and still support deplorable things privately): is there actually a difference in their private politics and voting behaviour?
Are most evangelicals “troubled” by Trump’s amorality like Susan Collins or like John Lewis?