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In no particular order...

1. Try to make sure you understand what is being stated or asked before responding to it.

2. Be respectful and try to see your words from the perspective of the other person. Keep in mind that due to the nature of debate (there's a reason "argument" has become nearly synonymous with "fight" wink , most people will assume they're being attacked. Let it go, and try to be as kind and clear as possible.

3. Don't try to hold two or more conversations at once. If several people jump on your post and you absolutely have to, at least take a few minutes, center yourself, and go back to see what has been stated in this conversation. The other person doesn't care if you've explained yourself 10 times already if you haven't said it to them, and it's also not a great idea to bring issues from a previous conversation with that person into every discussion you will have with them in the future.

4. If the person can't clarify what they're asking and give an actual goal, don't bother responding.

5. Anything you say can and will be used against you, especially if your beliefs happen to run contrary to the majority of the forum. So don't say something you're not prepared to back up. Take it somewhere else.