I understand full well why you are responding as you are. You made the initial request for people to share their stories of how they were saved and were met with some undignified responses. When someone presses you it's a natural reaction to push back. Though that in general tends to exacerbate the situation when a better solution could be working toward deescalating it. I don't think anyone truly despises education, but can become frustrated with it when it's not presented in a way they can learn the info. Just keep in mind that learning and agreeing with the info are 2 different things. One may not agree with anything you present, but can still learn something about your perspective. It may not be the intended lesson, but it's learning something none the less.
Yes, there are groups in OTC that do this which is unfortunate. I'd much prefer to read through a debate where both sides present their perspective, data, info, etc. as informative instead of persuasive and skip all the back and forth name calling. That pretty much accomplishes nothing. It doesn't have to be straight out calling some one a derogatory name, condescending and demining tone can have the same effect. It makes people completely shut down and in no way open to listening to what the opposing side has to say. There's nothing wrong with a heated debate, it's when people stop listening to each other that it becomes a problem.
“In the event of a communication breakdown, decide whether you will dwell in the negative or rise above the angst and turmoil in a firm, positive manner and encourage all parties to listen and be heard.”
I wasn't lecturing you about anything, just trying to offer some constructive advice that could also be beneficial to others. Being an educator for 13 years it would be hard to imagine that you never encountered a disruptive student who was reluctant to learn. Did you immediately stop teaching them and attempt to humiliate them? Or did you offer the disruptive student guidance and continue to help them learn? The former would have the unfortunate consequence of depriving the students sitting quietly the opportunity to learn. And you never know, that disruptive student may actually be listening and all they need is a little guidance and someone to listen to them also.
I've already put that constructive advice to which you are referring out there directed at those who I thought could benefit from it. Though I'm not able to make anyone heed said advice. The best I can do is lead by example. You may not be the one to initially cause the controversy, but by responding to it in kind only adds fuel to the fire. As I mentioned before it doesn't always come in the form of derogatory name calling. Besides, do you really want to stoop to that level? Wouldn't you rather be a shining example of how to rise above it all?
Hopefully you don't take my response as trying to insult you or be argumentative because that is not my intent. My only intent is to present a different perspective which you can evaluate and offer some advice based on that perspective with the hopes that it can lead to some common understanding of each other and move away from the constant bickering. This applies not only to you, but to anyone who reads this.
I was sleeping over a friend's house that night so I ate half a jar of pb. I was eager to share my epiphany. 
He however did not share my enthusiasm for my new found gift..
