You're using some really emotional language about what is really not such a huge issue. Maybe it's time to go offline for a while?
"no different than a mob subjecting an old woman to accusations of being a witch."
Well, you're not being driven out of your village or being executed...
Also the person you're replying to has beeing rather polite. Hardly a witch hunt is it?
"barely different from those of the Westboro Baptist Church"
The church that interrupts the grieving of the families of dead soldiers to shout about how much they hate gay people? You seriously believe that the person you're repling to is "barely different" from that?
"IOW, sure, you are allowed to publicly condemn people who hold different moral beliefs to you, but the optics are not good for you."
You're literally condeming them for having different moral beliefs than you right now, while being much more accusatory about it, comparing them to some really vile people. I wonder how you feel the optics of this reflects on you, because I don't think it's good for you.
Why are you so offended that someone might judge you for ignoring the friendly request of someone giving you something for free?
You seem to be making the argument that someone who uses shaming language to impose their ideological/religious is should not be responded to in kind.
I obviously disagree; smearing a veneer of civility over thought-policing does not make that thought policing any more acceptable.
> You're literally condeming them for having different moral beliefs than you right now,
You also appear to be claiming that, when being policed by puritans, one should politely put up with it. I also disagree - I don't think puritanical holier-than-thou comments deserve more civility than they give.
> I wonder how you feel the optics of this reflects on you, because I don't think it's good for you.
People pointing out thought-policing always look good ;-)
The ones who are crusading for it tend to look bad. I'm not too worried.
"no different than a mob subjecting an old woman to accusations of being a witch."
Well, you're not being driven out of your village or being executed... Also the person you're replying to has beeing rather polite. Hardly a witch hunt is it?
"barely different from those of the Westboro Baptist Church"
The church that interrupts the grieving of the families of dead soldiers to shout about how much they hate gay people? You seriously believe that the person you're repling to is "barely different" from that?
"IOW, sure, you are allowed to publicly condemn people who hold different moral beliefs to you, but the optics are not good for you."
You're literally condeming them for having different moral beliefs than you right now, while being much more accusatory about it, comparing them to some really vile people. I wonder how you feel the optics of this reflects on you, because I don't think it's good for you.
Why are you so offended that someone might judge you for ignoring the friendly request of someone giving you something for free?