Greetings Rasta!
Well here it is:
"Dozens watch in horror as a thread is derailed."
With that out of the way, I feel compelled to address some of the issues you've brought up.
If a peeing contest is all you see, then you're not really seeing the big picture. But please, don't take this the wrong way, it's not a criticism toward you. You are very young, and though reasonably bright for your age, young nonetheless. And all I mean by this is that you still have much to learn.
In contemplating on how to respond to these posts, I was reminded of a time when I was still a child. My friends and I would watch the teen-agers playing tackle football in a local field. Of course we cheered for certain teams, had favorite players (especially when older brothers were involved!), and even jeered at players being too rough or arrogant. One time, though, one of my friends, Stan (who was pretty big and well-muscled for his age) approached the teenagers and demanded he be allowed to play. What do you think happened? Well, the teenagers surrounded Stan, and began pushing him around, from person to person, knocking him down, and laughing at him the whole time. They were being bullies, right? Read on: Finally, Stan got up off the ground, fist-size rock in hand, and lunged at one of the players. Immediately, they grabbed him to hold him still while one of the oldest spoke to him. He said to Stan, "This is what it is to play football. You will be knocked down, treated unfairly, and laughed at. As long as you can't deal with that, you're too young to play." Just food for thought, 'kay?
That all having been said, I agree the Anti-Muslim sentiment has become excessive and over-zealous at times, but Bushmaster, Arunma, and Secundulus are not the main perpetrators or worst offenders, so it's not fair to put it entirely on them. And yes, there were better quality discussions and debates in the past than there are now (which, by the way, all three previously mentioned were participants). But rather than cast blame, I choose to do what I can to bring that back. In futility? Perhaps, but I will not give up. All good and worthwhile things begin and end with hope. To me, thinking any other way is spiritual suicide.
Indeed, and I've been the target of such more than once. Nonetheless, I am known and marked by the logic and reason *I* use, not the logic and reason, or lack thereof, used by others.
Let's be both real and honest here. This is a Christian Forum. Here, I am the pariah, as is any other Pagan, or Muslim, or Hindu, or even Atheist. Surely, I can demand a certain level of dignity and respect, but let's not lose sight of the concept that, from the Christian member's POV, I am here for only one of two reasons; to be converted, or to be admonished. Some have left for their inability to accept this, though I must admit, many others have left over what many (including myself) felt were sincere injustices.
I understand very well what you are saying. As you have likely seen in the past, in matters of religion I am diametrically opposed to each person you mention. And there are times when I've found each of them to be single-minded within certain discussions. But honestly, I have not found any one of them incapable of reasonable, civilized discussion when it was warranted.
As I said before, I believe you are a bright person, and I do enjoy seeing and considering your opinions on any and all these issues. But there are going to be times when we will be pushed around, knocked to the ground, and caused to feel degraded. Let's just get over it, and move along. I believe it's fourth down and 18 to go. I suggest you punt.
With all due respect,
- Druweid