Do any of us really know anybody here enough to have a real opinion of them one way or the other?

All most of us really get to learn of each other is through our words and while many came to exchange views there are those that prefer to promote agendas. Agendas, like evangelism creates adversary.

If however the common quest is for greater understanding that does not alway require debate but it still requires statement and analysis, as well as comparison and sometimes this too leads to debate or at the very least an exchange of detailed observations and information.

The personal commentary comes about when people play games and obfuscate intentionally, make innuendos, lose patience, or simply dance around what they don't want to address in favor of only making the points they presume valid, while ignoring strengths of argument so as to pin their hopes on weakness.

Basically IMHO it is easier to be objective if we stick to the rules of discourse but when the subject crosses to religion, politics, culture, and sex the likelihood is someone will inevitably piss off someone else.

For example if we are discussing what is faith?

Are we going to approach this subject as a tenet of religion, the psychology of mind, semantics and word usage, or all of the above?

How broad and how deep shall we explore all issues and how ready to plumb those depths are those that come here to conduct philosophical exchange.

Especially in the sound bite age.

On the internet and in text the process is more difficult because many social cues are missing, tone of voice, a smile, the look in one's eyes and body posture s it is far easier to read into another person's words the wrong implications. Perhaps for that (and a few others) reason too much discussion deteriorates too quickly into real conflict not mere philosophical debate. It is no small irony though that the word debate is derived etymologically from beating down ones' opponent.

It reflects the more civilized form of combat using words to represent power of ideas rather than relying on might to make right. It is definitely a step up from clubs even if it is only a small step.

Are you familiar with Crocker's Rules?

www.sl4.org/crocker.html

Perhaps they would be helpful for this tribe and for achieving the objective you imply. I try to base my conduct on them.

I like being nice sometimes too however. Is that better Sandy?

BTW many of us agree with one proposition or another by other posters but we tend to reply to those we don't rather than cheering on those we do.