I wonder, Ewan, which of those entreaties you found exuding "patronising superiority"? At the risk of falling into the same trap of making sweeping generalizations, as you seem wont, we must all live according to some kind of moral ethic. While an individual's code of conduct may, and does, differ from another's, if it isn't "superior" then they are either a hypocrite or pathological or both. If moral imperatives exist, living a life in concert with them seems logical.

If you set about fishing for someone to express courage of their conviction(s), congratulations on your catch. Your description of it as being "patronising" says more about your own prejudice than anything else.