>>I don't actually agree that it is hard to discuss controversial issues without insulting anyone. It may happen that people can get offended by views they disagree with, but that is a very different thing. <<<

There are certain opinions, if expressed, that will be taken as personal insults by certain people. More to the point there are certain opinions when expressed which are rehashing and re opening old arguments. stringsinger did that in this very thread, with its very title. It could have started an argument, but it didn't. But stringsinger knew that it could have and he posted anyway. I don't have problem with how it worked out. He and some others had their say, I had mine.

Akenaton has some antiquated views about Gay Rights. Every time he expresses them he is called names and an attempt is made to bully him. They take his opinions as a personal insults and take it upon themselves to try to vilify him off of this forum.   I don't see any way for him to avoid this without giving in to the bullies. He is entitled to express an opinion that pretty much all of our grandparents took for granted. Isn't he?

I guess he is entitled to ASK the moderators to punish the bullies, but I don't think they need to do anything they are not already doing.