Greenblatt is probably hustling Jewish old ladies in Florida for more donations with this spiel; hence the feigned bafflement.
If he is not working an angle for money, then this is a perfect example of Jewish subconscious self-deception, which I believe is as much a genetic as tribal trait.
Self-deception is a powerful evolutionary modus operandi, especially within a closed, inbred society, as it holds the group together while allowing them to exploit other groups shamelessly; providing them always with many ready excuses they can all agree on. ABN
American Buddhist Net 