Charity is Hard on the Internet

I'm thinking in particular of the various forum wars I seem to get myself caught up in.

Even when I try to compose the most conciliatory, open-minded post, emoticon-riddled post, the other person often seems to take me at my worst.

I mean, seriously...when have I ever been the slightest bit satiric or caustic in a debate?

Ahem.

Anyway, religious disputes on the Internet feel like a perpetual reenactment of Paul at the Areopagus...only I ain't no St. Paul.

What I really need to do is start getting off my duff and find some actual people to be nice to in a non-virtual environment.