I feel fortunate to have been raised in a fairly open minded family where it was ok, even encouraged to consider discuss and debate different viewpoints. My parents would constantly consider, question and sometimes change their religious, political and cultural views. It was fascinating and interesting to observe and participate. So I learned that it was safe to engage in a contest of ideas and challenge/question others on their ideology, but have learned in life that not everyone had the same childhood experience and that for many people to engage in debate over ideologies is a dangerous scary thing to do. We can think of not just families but entire nations where to question the orthodoxy is to risk your own safety if not life. But I still enjoy debate and the contest of ideas and probably to some extent inevitably provoke some hostility and personal attacks- and while they are disappointing can understand they are often about a respondents limited ability to feel safe in engaging in a reasoned way. The more we can examine and question the various points of view we hold and the different viewpoints others have I suggest the closer we can approach to the truth, even if it is a destination we can never arrive at, it is a journey that gives life meaning, purpose and hope.