Great conceptualization. Many on the Left (to use the other language) myself included have sometimes felt puzzlement and bafflement at how the Right so often seems to catastrophize everything, like for example seeming to think gay marriage spells the end of civilization. Example: witness that Republican woman on the House floor -- I forget her name -- who was even moved to tears in speaking against the "Respect for Marriage Act" and its protection of gay marriage rights. At the time, I thought it was purely performative on her part, just crocodile tears, but what you say provides a different way to think about that. How in their view, as you put it, "Because social hierarchies are believed to reflect metaphysical realities ... liberals' crusades against what they see as various forms of injustice are interpreted by conservatives as undermining the very fabric of nature." Interesting. Very interesting way to think about it.

Perhaps understanding their thinking in that sort of framework may open a door to better communication.

On the other hand, hard to get them to listen to me since, therefore, they view me as an agent of Satan. *sigh*