None of us 'owns' this site, and as such we are all guests here, even though we may be 'members'. In my view, one's behaviour online should mirror one's behaviour in real life. One would never go to a public meeting and let fly with abuse and insults such as we see on here. If that happened, one would be chucked out. In the pub, one may even get thumped.
I agree that potential new members might be put off by the vituperative and rude comments from some posters.
Surely, points of view can be expressed without insulting another's stance?
Rudeness and insults are indeed childish and belong in the playground.