that argumentation is NOT what they practice there -- they shout down, they dissemble, they dismiss an entire argument on the flimsiest of pretexts all the while shrieking that YOU have to cite and link and scientifically prove every word YOU say. Before this last week I never thought I see so many strawmen beaten to death. If you want the link to the grievance thread then I suggest you talk to PZ or anyone that may have archived it because PZ himself deleted it after 24 hours, so as far as I know, it's gone. Good well go back on there and argue? What is the issue -- you don't like the way they attack your argument? I'll admit I agree that I personally think that a lot of the commenters on there exist solely to try and do exactly what you describe. Best policy is to identify and ignore them and deal with any valid arguments against your position. The ones that just throw insults, well throw insults back if you want or just ignore. Pharyngula is not the commenters and PZ is not their herder -- more often than not they'll disagree with him and his friends. AronRa's wife Ilandra turned up and got a lot of shit despite PZ trying to stop them. So you are not alone "If you want a community that licks your arse and never disagrees with you then Pharyngula is definitely not the place -- sceptical communities in general will not