When emotions run high, as they do when people hold passionate beliefs, it is difficult to set those emotions aside and discuss the topic at hand in an environment of respectful disagreement and debate. It is vital that we recognize this and do not allow important debates to become emotional quagmires.

It is disturbing when this occurs in the interpersonal communications in our professional and personal lives, but it is alarming to see it occurring at national and international levels. Have we become so numb to the lack of basic respect that only the loud, rowdy, scandalous and libelous statements get through to our collective consciousness?