Part of the problem is people viewing it as an argument.
That's irrelevent to the point I was making. For the purposes of this forum, I used argument, because that's usually what happens here. If you want, just replace the word argument with discussion or debate or somehting similar. Whatever you want Tale. The point still stands.
I think my point still stands. Jerk or no jerk, when people come into it determined to convince others their beliefs are wrong, that's usually when it gets out of hand.
That point is true, but it isn't about people veiwing something as an argument. It's true regardless of what you're going to call it, and I agree that it's part of the problem. I just don't think you should single out arguments. People can have religous arguments, and religous debates, religous discussions, religous talks, all of it. Your point can be applied to all of it.
I disagree on that point. I consider debates academic, discussions social, talks social as well. Arguments are specifically about trying to make someone else believe your point of view. Often emotional, aggressive, and not based in reason. They are anti-social, anti-productive. I cannot say the same of debates, discussions, or talks. It is when such transition into an argument that they become a problem.
Wait, what point are we tossing around here?