In competition there is a winner and a loser. I concede that academia is a valuable way to understand the world. In my experience, group spiritual quest becomes destructive when there is that competition. Also, people who may not be articulate with words, but have understanding are fighting without the shield of worldly knowledge. Yes, argument is fighting.
Intellectual violence can be as cruel as emotional abuse and oppression.
Just as subtle, confusing to the victim, the result of the search for power and not the truth. Don't get me wrong. But when they are used to seek God, and win in an argument, they become weapons that do more harm than good. The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. All rights reserved.