First, lurkers and spiritual fence sitters are sometimes drawn to these threads and often come to conclusions about faith and religions based not on the content of the posts but rather on the conduct of the posters. This is understandable given the difficulty of resolving religious issues in a debate format. I specifically remember several posters being particularly influenced by SoothingDave's responses to some very bigotted responses about 18 months ago on one of the "Mercilessly Neverending Threads". They admitted being influenced not by the content of the arguments that took place but rather by the patient and respectful way Dave responded to an onslaught of malignant attacks.
Second, I believe that all of the Church is under attack at this time and that interdenominational bickering is in nobody's interest. If BuffyT believes that the rest of Christianity remains immune to disease simply because the Roman Catholic Church is currently in the headlines and that his denomination is safe if the Catholic Church is weakened, then he (she) is mistaken. Pointing out that this is not merely a Catholic problem is important but responding with the type of venom used by some of the anti-Catholic posters helps neither cause. I didn't mean to imply that you were a bigot but I stand by my assertion that antagonistic responses do not further our cause. I engage in them myself but try not to as difficult as that may be with the negativity of some of them.
At any rate, since there is no point to creating animosity with our Christian borthers, there is even less point to creating it within our own ranks. You and I need to stand together.