Dave tG, I described a type of behaviour and some possible reasons for it. If you recognize yourself, that is your own diagnosis. At least I am not boycotting you, as you see.

My main point is that the reasons are often not at all rooted in differences of philosophical or political opinions. (How do I know? When in such a thread someone starts discussing the topic seriously, they declare it an intolerable thread shift.)

My post was in reply to Joe's message about religious tolerance. No attack, just an explanation and advice for those who feel uncomfortable.

As for being a nice gal or guy: the behaviour I described is certainly not nice. The excuse is normally to act in self-defence or defence of others who are being or have been wronged. This may or may not be the author's true conviction, and may even be correct - it makes little difference here, if precise and serious discussion is blocked. In particular, it is not "nice" to make collective accusations based on misbehaviour of individuals.

How the accusers behave in their personal surroundings, I cannot possibly know, but if they really do differently, why so? (Musket tells us that he feels obliged to wear a mask in personal contact, which seems to imply that only Mudcat readers know his true self in that respect.)