How can we approach gracious dialogue to counter science cynicism?

[sfmatheson]

@jpm

Those in academics are more used to attacking and defending positions and not only tolerate it but enjoy it. Those of us in other fields, not so much.

If my comments when read in their full context are offensive, then I will apologize. It was not my intent in those comments to suggest particular conscious motivations to people; OTOH it was clearly my intent to talk about how discussions of MN felt and seemed to me as a Christian. I note, BTW, that the tired old quote about Bulverism from CSL is sadly ironic, since it is specifically about the motivations of others and is, unlike my quote-mined remarks, openly hostile.