[xzins]

Thank you for your thoughtful response.

One comment in particular stood out for me, in light of my wondering if this should be a "caucus thread."

If there are non-Catholics who believe that their beliefs are poorly represented by the Catholic author, it is unfair not to permit them to say so in this thread.

The difficulty is that disagreement is regularly seen as being disagreeable whether intended or not.

Taken in consideration of pyro's comment that the "reformed" should hold back on their opinions, it just strikes me as the definition of "caucus thread."

That is not to disagree with you at all about common courtesy being an avenue that would allow all threads to be open. But, as long as some are asked to be discreet in their opinions, then we have a potential problem.

[sitetest]

Dear xzins,

"The difficulty is that disagreement is regularly seen as being disagreeable whether intended or not."

I understand, but here's my problem with that statement.

There are folks here who are usually quite decorous even when disagreeing with others. And there are folks here who can't seem to post (at least about certain topics) without being insulting.

It really doesn't have as much to do with the topic of conversation, as it has to do with the efforts of the individual posters.

Some folks are usually rude (or are usually rude about specific topics), and should be banned. Other folks are not rude, generally speaking, although all of us slip once in a while.

It's just not that tough.

"But, as long as some are asked to be discreet in their opinions, then we have a potential problem."

One can disagree with discretion. There are posts here on this thread that are vulgar and border on obscenity. It shouldn't be so difficult to communicate one's viewpoint without showing oneself to be a vulgar buffoon.

The standards for ALL discussion herein should be higher.

On any given day, xzins, you manage to meet those higher standards. I don't see why others shouldn't.


sitetest

[Religion Moderator]

But, as long as some are asked to be discreet in their opinions, then we have a potential problem.

The problem is not with caucus threads or with requests that others posting on an open thread be well behaved. Frankly, the problem is that the mean, the rude, the immature, the proud, the unloving among us are drawn to contentious debates like moths to a light.

But there is no better place for them to be either. Keep on setting a good example for everyone, God will take care of the miracles of changed hearts and minds.