Actually, it is making it personal. But the problem with needling another poster in a personal way and having a good laugh over it, is that the same thing can be done IN RETURN. So, if that's acceptable, then, fine. :D There can be no whining when turn about happens--that would be thin-skinned, right?
I see no need to bring a moderator into this. I think it would be edifying indeed to see how long she continues this behavior.
On the Religion Forum, there are three form of "making it personal."
The first is reading another Freeper's mind. For one Freeper to call another Freeper "dear" or say "I love you" is not reading the other guy's mind but expressing his own.
The second is attributing motives to another Freeper, personally. Again, calling another Freeper "dear" doesn't say anything about his motives.
The third is making the thread "about" individual Freepers. This can happen with regard to most any issue - including this one. All the Freepers involved might be told to "knock it off" or "leave the thread" if they have derailed the discussion so badly that other Freepers are adversely affected by it.
It is a judgment call though, like deciding when a thread must be locked for "childish behavior."
If you want to "return fire" for the use of a term of endearment, you must also use a term of endearment such as "honey" or "sweetie pie" or "beloved" etc.
You can call me dear any time you want to, Judith Anne. It’s a term I use often.