not sure really at this point. I would say dialog (I might have thought there could be understanding when I first came here, but I’m now fairly convinced there can’t be).
The question, how should I treat an adversary? How does anyone treat an adversary? Adversarial right …
When you debate someone do you pretend you’re not debating and don’t disagree? If it concerns deeply held beliefs, any strong objection (no matter how delicately put) will be offensive (and will usually incite an aggressive response). That’s the nature of debate.
Perhaps that is how you debate, not all use that technique. There are many ways to disagree amiably, if one wishes to. Even between believers and non-believers. “I apologize…” can be powerful words when used to correct a heavy handed or misunderstood post, even without recanting a single point of a position.
Christ taught us how to deal with our “Adversaries” though I must admit it is difficult sometimes. Christ told us to:
27 "But I say to you who hear: **Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, **28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.
31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
I know that you will likely ask if this is how the Church acted in it’s history and I will respond No. Those who acted in the name of the Church sinned and sinned horribly. Does the sin of an individual, even many individuals negate the validity of a teaching? No it does not, and it is teachings that interest me.
I have a movie in with lines that say:
“People go to London and find just what they are looking for”.
“I’d go looking for the London of English Liturature”.
“Then it’s there”.
It appears, that in you rstudy of history you went looking for negatives and found them, for they are there. Of course you miss much of the positives that way.
Peace
James