ah... the very term, argument, has more than one meaning in regards to civility... especially as human emotions become involved.

but more to the point regarding threat... there is a very real threat to the human endeavor of investigation and promotion of information/knowledge posed by "militant" Creationists. This threat is every bit as dangerous and repulsive as Nazi book burnings, religious burning of "heretic" books - including the destruction of written records kept by pre-Columbian cultures. The list goes on about censorship promoted by religous zealots.

So I identify the proverbial elephant to be zealots - regardless of their affiliations... and those who manipulate said zealots for their own gain. Those who feel their's is the only correct belief and therefore gives them permission to discount or destroy any and all opposing viewpoints.

While pete's belief that he has every right (in fact, more an obligation) to prevent an "agreefest" of those who accept evolutionary theory is pretty innocous, it only differs in degree.

I know I have no hope of "converting" pete, anymore than he has a snowballs chance in you know where of persuading me to his viewpoint. However, there is always the hope that a reasonable presentation of as unbiased information as I can make will help others who are not polarized to make an informed choice. I try to teach or inform, not indoctrinate. At least, that is my intent.