Years ago when I still had a Myspace....when ANYONE still used Myspace...I was a member of a group there called Left vs Right. Being one of those horrid creatures referred to as a centrist, I would sometimes be on the left side of a discussion and sometimes on the right and while emotions would run high sometimes, as they tend to in any political discussion, the majority of the other members kept things rather civil and on point.
If there were stragglers who would twist words, change subject with no serious intent, take defensive postures where none were warranted, and/or start making superfluous ad hominem attacks, even those on that member's "side" would step away from him or her and leave him/her to look like an a** on his or her own.
There was a user who was a strong proponent of communism who I debated with regularly and we never allowed ourselves to become angry or take criticisms of each other personally...and it was actually enjoyable to argue with him. He said the same of me several times and we would provide very illuminating information to each other to educate each other on our respective opinions. We did all this while staunchly disagreeing with each other.
I wish more of this mentality existed here on TFS. All too often we tend to take things that are critical of our beliefs and turn them into personal battles, or treat them with disdain and dismissive contempt rather than with any ounce of respect as the opinions of someone other than ourselves. I have seen several of us be unfair to each other, both people I have agreed with in a discussion and disagreed with.
Some of us seem to feel that if we are asked questions about our beliefs or if another posts something contrary to them that we are under attack. Direct questions that are on topic and non adversarial have produced nothing but opposition, insult, and side stepping in some cases.
Perhaps there is no solution and things will always be this way, but I hope that a lot of us can try to keep in mind that often our discussions are sincerely meant to be educational. That the voicing of a question or contrary belief, or even just a concern, doesn't have to be taken as an attack.
Sorry if this is in the wrong section.