The English language has a wealth of phrasal verbs intended to express the uncertainty when expressing an opinion. 'it never crossed their minds' is a statement. In an intelligent debate it's usual, as Allan has done, to show evidence to back up statements rather than categorically state something that is purely in your imagination but, hey, what do facts matter when dogma is involved?
there's plenty of evidence to show the converse interpretation but you, and CRT, have spent 20 years putting ever more fanciful spin to obscure those simple facts.