I try. :o)
Al you and I have been friends a long time I figured you understood what I meant even if "Conservative" didn't. That was not a "slap" at the Catholic Church ..it was just a point..
Understood ... I didn't take it as such.
There was a time when it was expected that men not only go to church on Sunday ..but that they defend their faith strongly.
I agree wholeheartedly. But I think faith generally can be defended civily. Like you said, we've been friends a long time (in fact, if I remember correctly, you were my first debate on FR) so you know I will gladly engage in a debate with people of other faiths provided they (and I) can keep our cool and not lash out at others. Once the lashing out starts, the debate is no longer a debate but more like a contest to see who can point out the worst of each other's church. That's not constructive and only increases the angst between faiths.
Absolutely. There's the topic-at-hand (whatever that may be) and then there's the character of the poster. When the conversation switches from the former to the latter, the debate has ended, and all it proves is who has more examples to quote (not necc. which side's argument has more support), and who has the shorter temper.