Depends on what is meant by “open the door”. I think it’s always possible to disagree without being disrespectful. If anything, the disrespect only hardens the other person in their opinions. I don’t keep up with Musk, but I can’t think of a perspective so vile that, if presented respectfully, couldn’t be adequately opposed respectfully. It’s the most basic principle of dialogue.

@skado I agree but who is going to decide what's respectful and what is not? Also, it seems, in our day and age, respectful is a moving target.

@JackPedigo
I think "respectful" mostly just means not making it personal. No Ad Homs, no personal insults. Just engage the idea.

Examples of blunt refutals without evidence or reasoned argument. Bear in mind that these statements are often made to new members who just joined, and are often trying to test the water and gain confidence. If not bullying then the next nearist thing perhaps ?

[agnostic.com]

[agnostic.com]

[agnostic.com]

[agnostic.com]

And there are dozens more.

And Ad homien.

The happiest nations on Earth are strongly secular

How would you describe your preferences regarding the presence or absence of diversity of opinions on this site?

@skado i prefer the site to be full of idiots posting drivel so i can be snarky.........
IMO this is the truthful-est answer you will get!

@AnneWimsey
Snark on, sister!

Swingin!

@skado swinging three ways

“Valid” toward what purpose?

@skado Towards telling someone GFY.

@barjoe
Ok, so do I understand correctly that you would prefer that no one posted ideas you vehemently disagree with?

@skado No, you don't understand correctly. I said your poll is skewed, so I didn't answer it. I gave the answer that I wanted. If someone expresses an idea which I "vehemently" disagree with, respectful debate is not worth my trouble. People can post whatever they want. If I disagree, I'll either ignore them or express why I think they are wrong. If they insist on arguing I have no problem with telling someone GFY.

@barjoe
Ok, well maybe I’ll make a poll about that sometime. This poll is about whether you’d prefer this site to be populated with people who think like you ( regarding the subject the site is named for ) or with people who respectfully present diverse viewpoints.

@skado Conformity or Diversity were the choices. It's your poll, you can make it about anything you want. I chose to respond to your post without responding to your poll.

@barjoe
Thanks for letting me know.

@skado Your welcome. I'm glad you can appreciate diversity.

@mcfluwster @skado This is not a reply but an addition to my own comment. It is often the case that replies are not clearly directed to the proper source . Is it possible to correct this by always typing @'my particular target' before any reply???

@Mcfluwster
Yes, that will send the person a notification.

I agree. So... how does that relate to this post?

Well, your premise is that we should tolerate everybody and I'm saying that some people should not be tolerated such as transphobes.

@Theresa_N
I haven’t said, nor do I believe we should tolerate everybody. There are lots of people who shouldn’t be tolerated. That’s not what this post is about.

This post is about tolerating ideas. And I’m not stating my preference here. I’m asking yours. Would you prefer ideas counter to your own to be banned from expression here? I think for example, hate speech and personal attacks should be unwelcome on any social media. But I’m not talking about hate speech. I’m talking about philosophical differences - worldview differences.