WHY NOT SOME THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION

[Thats my opinion]

I joined D/U in hopes of finding a group interested in thoughtful discussion on a number of topics. I file in two or three places a week and
profit from the stimulation. Since one of my hats is that of a theologian, I assumed that this forum would be a fruitful place for intelligent conversation. Before I filed the first time I was warned not to because this was said to be the nastiest forum in the whole gamuts of topics, peopled basically by those who want to take cheep shots at religion, not by those interested in thoughtful conversation. Thus far those warnings have proved accurate. I find many who file here have developed the knack of searching for the worst fundamentalist religion has to offer and saying, "see, that's what religion is all about." Somebody says that tornadoes are God's punishment for something we have done, or Muslims ought to be killed, or some other stupid thing. --as if these sorts of irrational babble was what religion was all about. These straw men are easy targets, but taking on easy targets is hardly rational discourse. Let's discuss what those think who hold distinguished chairs in the best universities and seminaries. Let's look at philosophy, interfaith figures such as the Dali Lama, M. L. King, John Cobb, John Crossin, Bishop John Spong, on and on and on. I can find more stupid things than any of you can quote, because I probably know more about that sort of thing. But that is like assuming that the core of science is represented by somebody who claims to make gold out of lead, or claims evolution is a giant fraud. But those conversations would be as inane as laughing at stupid irrational religious rubbish.
that's my opinion