I'm going to avoid it again because of the lack of respect being shown to other members

What, you think that disagreeing with someone's opinion is an indication of lack of respect?

I have been enormously impressed with the rationality, civility, intelligence, and lack of personal attack expressed in these posts that you characterize as "bashing".

JeffS has probably had his beliefs attacked more than just about anybody on this bbs, including attacks by me. Yet, I doubt if you could find another person here who is held in higher respect than he is. Because I disagree with him (and do not hesitate to express that disagreement) does not mean that I disrespect him! Quite the contrary.

I think that perhaps you are confusing forthright, entertaining debate with animosity. Nobody here is expecting to change anybody's opinions on these matters of religion and politics. But we're sure going to have a hell of a lot of fun trying, and that's really the point of the whole thing.

tanstaafl.