Does that make me "one of Them"? "

Not necessarily Brian, though the sense of humour failure just might.. ;-)
It was of course but a flippant anecdote, intended to raise a small wry smile. And not a condemnation of anyone who might find interest in learning a little more about the songs they sing.

To explain: the fear was that my beginning to 'dabble' in serious book learning, might take me down a dangerous slippery slope of no return, whereby I might ultimately *become* one of Them: 'Them' who argue the toss - and in complete seriousness, on Mudcat threads such as these. As Spleen rightly said, most people into Folk are quite affable, easy going and welcoming people, and quite sensibly avoid such discussions.

Which reminds me, I really aughta get on and learn Bellamy's setting of Kiplings "Fathers of Old":

"We are afflicted by what we can prove,
We are distracted by what we know.
So - ah, so!
Down from your heaven or up from your mould,
Send us the hearts of our fathers of old !"

Ouch, now I think I'd better quickly shuffle back to the safety of the shadows...