I don't know if you mean that it is an unrelated direction. I think we just said the same thing. It reinforces my point actually and is the reason I believe folks should be spending more time posting in the theological forums than in political forums because the nuances of political science and economics and world events are not the focus of this board. We're permitted to be sloppy there and nowhere else on the board. I agree that the theological portions of the board are theologically challenging. The politics section is dissonant with the rest in that regard.
Rich, yes. I poorly worded my last post. I was commenting on your heading in an unrelated direction (but not irrelevant).
I'm starting to rethink my OP. I believe it is even more than just politics that leads to the vitriol and rancor. It is an unloving and uncharitable heart. We've seen that spirit alive in the baptism and Christmas observance debates. It is resident more often in the political forum because it seems to be accepted and tolerated there. You want a different perspective on the whole affair? Do a search in the prayer forum on how many threads have been started seeking prayer for our nation. I'm ashamed to say that I have been a poor example in that regard.