Modulous writes:
1. Omnivorous - I didn't actually mention Omnivorous' suspension. Now that it was brought up I'll say that I think that it is my opinion that it was treated far too leniently.
First of all: Faith, please accept my apology. I disagree with you profoundly about matters of profound importance, but that does not excuse uncivilized behavior, verbal or otherwise, and I genuinely regret my conduct. I promise you and the community that it will not happen again.
Modulous, I believe my violation of forum policies was treated less than leniently at the occasion, though somewhat leniently after some discussion. Overall, I thought the balance was correct, and I see no need for substantive forum policy changes, with the possible exception of mandatory apologies--I make mine freely above, but perhaps anyone who slips from reasoned discourse to insulting rant as I did should apologize before rejoining the conversation.
Immediately upon receiving notification of the suspension, I was furiously self-righteous: it seemed to me that Faith's post was an obscenity; mine was merely vulgar.
But upon reflection, I realized that one does not champion reason by shrieking insults: simple, really. What struck me most about EvC during my lurking, nonposting period a few months ago, was the amount of work that went into maintaining a civil, well-moderated debate regarding passionately held beliefs. However repugnant we may find another poster's beliefs, resorting to insult and vituperation ends discussion with no profit to understanding, example, or suasion.
But these are not lessons I learned recently.
You would have to go back, far back, in the Omnivorous Archives to find another instance of that sort of outburst. Unfortunately, at the moment in question, I was both strongly disinhibited by narcotic pain medication and distraught by the continuing "unaccounted for" status of dear friends in New Orleans. Faith's post was the final piece in an emotional "perfect storm" that led to verbal conduct I greatly regret.
As a relative newcomer, let me point something out to "my side": while discussions with Creationists may seem frustratingly circular or cyclical, the calm and scientific reply both expresses and embodies philosophically important standards, thus working as a powerful example.
It is not merely the ToE we debate, but the philosphical underpinnings of science: how to determine what is most likely true; how to see the world as it is, not as we would like it to be; how to define what counts as decision-making knowledge, and who decides.
Do not underestimate the cumulative power of sensible speech.