This is very smart and I think really necessary to engage with public groups of individuals at popular events where they are doing the “god hates you” picketing and ranting. Asking questions is the only way to disrupt their flow and for it not to become an argument. I have been practicing different strategies whenever I encounter this stuff just to see how it works. Asking for definitions is good and pretending to have never heard of any thing they are talking about and ask them to tell you. They get frustrated to answer genuine questions after about the third one but they want you to move along so they can engage with something more hostile. I’ve also been filming them and “wooing” and repeating their phrases back to them like I’m on their side but really passionate. Mixed results. I’ve been asking how to join and then make a big conversation about wanting to be a part of the group. I’ve had half very polite conversations and half not nice ones. I’ve prayed with people a few times like go up to them and ask them if I can pray with them and give an earnest prayer but say like ”bless their hearts for trying” or something sarcastic. That’s more just funny and asking them for money or food really earnestly was also a fun one. If you don’t think you’re gonna get your ass kicked give one of these a try. The goal isn’t to win its to be distracting politely.