There are certain types of debates in which I don't get involved. Generally, this is when a line is drawn and two opposing sides start lobbing stones at one another. This is a pretty good summary of why I keep my distance:

"Once something is added to your collection of beliefs, you protect it from harm...When your deepest convictions are challenged by contradictory evidence, your beliefs get stronger."

No, this doesn't surprise me, because everyone (including myself) is susceptible to this kind of behavior. These days, I'm much less inclined to treat a person who's expressing a dissenting opinion to me as a personal attack.