Isn't this precisely what this thread is about? You can derail any thread by making personal accusations, and they do not need to be true. Just use lots of strongly emotional language, and don't provide any evidence. Meanwhile, keep turning the focus of the thread back to those accusations, and insist that is now the topic. Whenever someone says something on the actual topic, just repeat your accusations. We have long threads on MN that consist largely of just that.
I don't think Josh's accusations are true. I cannot find any public statements by Paul Graham on LGBTQ+ issues. When I search his blog for various keywords related to LGBTQ+ issues, I cannot find any matches. When I ask GPT engines, they give me results like this:
He's fairly private about a lot of his views. He's married - and has not been previously married - and has two children. So ... what makes you think Paul Graham is "someone of disreputable character"?While Paul Graham has written extensively on various topics, including startups, technology, and society, I couldn’t find any specific essays or statements directly addressing LGBTQ+ issues in his publicly available work.
Also, Paul Graham is not quoting Jesus here, I am, along with other scriptures. Making claims like this, without evidence, is something the Bible tells us not to do.
Proverbs 16:28 - "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends."
Proverbs 26:20 - "Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down."
James 1:26 - "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless."
Exodus 20:16 - "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
See also Deuteronomy 19:15-21.
So how do we, as the people of God, discuss topics where we disagree, according to Scripture? I'd start with this: loose accusations are not what we should be doing. It's rarely helpful to go after people and try to tear them down or smear their reputation in public.
Instead of tearing people down, we should actually discuss the topic. And that's simple to measure. In any thread, what is the topic? Now look at any post - especially our own posts - and ask if it's about that topic. If it's not, is it spreading accusations against someone? If so, why, and with what level of evidence? Even a true, proven accusation is not helpful when used as a club to derail a conversation on another topic.
And as God's people, we really should avoid the sins of speech that the Bible teaches us about.