Comment 21 by Stafford Gordon :

My world view has clashed with theirs to the extent that our very long term friendships are now distinctly cooling, which I regret, but which in my experience is par for the course, but I'm not prepared to resile from my clear cut non-belief. They won't even engage in a discourse on the matter; you're boring me and I'm walking out of the room, was the metaphor one employed, and the other simply emailed "enough!"

Far be it from me to judge you, but maybe you went out of line? As long as they don't spout their religious non-sense near you, play nice with LGBT's and don't indoctrinate their children, shouldn't you also respect their wish not to have their personal believes challenged all the time?

I agree with you though that refusing/walking out on any discussion is weak. But that's a whole other discussion.

And Paula, great piece. Honest, sharp and very useful. May I quote you?