Lady Lee This is one of the most interesting threads in a long time. I have enjoyed your thoughtful comments and those of others who have contributed. You do a good job.
At times I have been rough with kind people and felt regret. At other times it has been appropriate to draw my sword. Sometimes my intentions are misunderstood. Perhaps dressing as a gladiator makes people defensive? Now before posting, I ask, how my post will affect the person it is addressed to? How will it make me feel? What is my motive for commenting. Arguing does not lead to inner peace. Showing kindness and empathy does.
I try not to use the forum as a vehicle for my own negative emotions. Being human I still sometimes fail. We all have unconcious forces at work within us. By their very nature, we are the last to realize the effect they are having on us and those we inflict them on. Everything we do or say has a 'sense' to it - that is a hidden meaning or agenda. (Freud)
Over the years I have had heavy debates with some wonderful Christians, some of whom have now left. It is due to those debates that I have been able to be more open minded. I have at last taken on board their message, that for them, Christianity is about love and kindness and I see the benefit this has bought to them as people. I'm more interested in how a person treats me and others, than the spiritual path they have chosen to walk.
As has been said, once we seek to accommodate everyones personal understanding, debate become pointless and the mental stimulus that it affords is absent. Attempting to be agreeable all the time can become boring and pointless for all involved. This is a dilema. For most people who have been here a while their reason for coming here has changed over the years. That is certainly true for me, causing me to seriously question my reason for being here. Time will tell!