On civil discourse

Martin Luther said that a Christian's response to an attack containing a false charge ought to be, "God be praised! I am innocent!" (The "God be praised" being sincere thanks that someone would take time to call someone to repentance (for ...the better of soul or society??).) In certain political circles today, any criticism involving pointing out consequences of someone's actions is now referred to as "Hate on."

While liberalism is probably synonymous with "Antinomianism" or licentiousness in religious circles, I think today's conservatism has the same flaw. When it focuses on whether folks have made the right religious choice and not focused on a "preaching of repentance," you've got probs. All dialogue becomes a matter of "clearing the bench" (baseball brawl) for the right team.