Charmion. The problem with going through the motions of respect is that people are led to think you respect views that are patently not worthy of it. And that would never do.

Akenaton for instance has views regarding gay people that is despicable and quite frankly tantamount to personality disorder. Add his awful spewing out about Eastern Europeans in his area and you have to ask yourself, "do I feel dirty by conversing with such a specimen?"

No consensus on behaviour on Mudcat is going to convince me to do anything other than challenging hatred. I refuse to meet it halfway and I refuse to offer it anything that would be construed as respectability.

Views that are different to mine? Sure! Lets debate. Views that have no place in 21st century society? Kick them back into their pit and let them fester.

Just because we try to debate nicely where we can, it doesn't mean you have to smile when confronted with bigotry and hatred of people based on their labels.