My mama taught me there are three topics ladies and gentlemen don't discuss in polite company--sex, politics, and religion. Thankfully, nobody has chosen to post personal opinions about other peoples' procreative practices here on the list, but we've just had a serving of politics, with disastrous results. Now religion has been introduced, and it looks capable of being stirred up into the same simmering, unplatable stew. I don't want Lactnet to become just a cookbook of recipes for fixing breastfeeding problems. I enjoy new perspectives, stimulating philosophical discussions, and spirited differences of opinion. However, it's possible to disagree using intelligence, facts (please check the definition of this word in your dictionary), grace, wit, humor, and a number of other tools that don't aim primarily to insult or ridicule. Certainly no one should post anything they aren't prepared to defend, but if articulate, thoughtful people stop posting because of an understandable distaste for personal attack and invective, the list will lose much of its interest and its value. Please consider this yet another plea for civil discourse and basic good manners among our members. None of us should have to lose sleep over posting to Lactnet. Judy Dunlap, RNC, BA, IBCLC