In practice, these replies are a bad move, leading to further miscommunication. The insultee feels further insulted (quite reasonably), and the insultor thinks "What's the matter with him? I apologized, didn't I.", and leaves with either a vague uneasiness, or a naive self-righteousness.

Of such things are family splits and community divisions made.

I find this post extremely offensive.

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Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.

Lingua non convalesco, consenesco et abolesco. -- Rule 1 has a caveat! -- Who broke the cabal?

"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".

In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

I am sincerely very sorry, and embarrassed, to have caused offense here. I clearly messed up big time, talking about courtesy, but actually offending further myself.

I very much appreciate your letting me know, as I did not realize it myself.

Addendum: Having had a few hours to think, I can see that I was, at the least, grossly insensitive, flip, condescending, and too wrapped up in my own thoughts to see it. There's more than that, but for now I'm still too dense to see it clearly enough to address it here.

Perl Monks deserves better from me, and I will try to provide it. This thread is probably too deep for anyone to read or care, let alone to later remember and feel a helpful urge towards me, but if anyone does remember and sees me heading in this dirction again, please, please let me know. I now have a week long trip, away from the internet, and this has given me something to ponder on it, and hopefully it will do some good.