TENACIOUS- I think you are generalizing quite a bit in your opening thread. Of course there will be some here who tend to be more controversial than others, or arrogant- that's the real world. But for the most part many people here ARE welcoming, they ARE reasonable and supportive to others. I don't see that shattering many people here. It's helpful to be supportive.
Perhaps the threads you are looking into have a combative nature to the thread- but it's like I tell anybody I've spoken with here- if a person doesn't like a particular thread , and finds it offensive - change the channel like on television and check out threads more to your interests and liking . Just takes a click of the mouse.
I'm sorry the world isn't perfect for you my friend- but that's reality. Lots of different viewpoints , lots of different interests- we aren't all made from the same cookie cutter