Feigned indignation and false maryterdom complex

[Tempus]

I like to imagine I've mellowed out, but most days I end up typing an angry response, pausing, and closing the tab without submitting.

I do that a lot.

Because "You're a monstrous idiot for X,Y,Z and a fucking moron" doesn't work as well as "X,Y,Z are inconsistent and wrong. Your argument is weak".

Exactly.

Insults rarely contribute anything to a discussion

"Atheist" is a word, and is viewed as an insult to many theists, so wrong again (...) You view an insult as merely being a word, but it isn't one word, it can be a person's perception that an idea or something that goes against their social norms can "insult" them.

Atheist is a word?! Well I'm glad you're here to tell us these things. Chewie! Take the professor in the back and plug him into the hyperdrive!

Yes, things not intended as insults can still be interpreted as such. I think my post makes it clear that I'm talking about intended insults, and if it doesn't it's clear now. If someone mistakenly interprets something I've said as an insult, or sees my beliefs or lack thereof as offensive, I correct them. If they persist I simply don't bother with them.

If we banned cussing in every context we would not have great comedians like George Carlin (...) I do not object to arguments of context as to when and where cussing is appropriate. I do object to any solution that uses "never". Not just on the issue of words, but anything in life. Nothing in life is black or white or either/or.

I don't know whether this part is still a response to my post, but I didn't say people should never swear or never insult. I enjoy watching Bill Hicks and think I'd be worse off without such comedy to enjoy. I'm heavily against political correctness - I choose to be polite, but blunt. I'd elaborate but I'd just be reiterating points that have already been made.