I wasn't baiting you. I was trying to understand how you arrived at your conclusion. But I won't try anymore, because you refused to engage. I guess, in a way, you shunned me. I consider it an honor.

I largely agree with you, GayFreedomLover, and I have from the start. You've been articulate. What I find hilarious is that Skyler is clearly reading this thread and engaging with about half of it, but is now ignoring me completely. I've tried to ask my questions in good faith (although he obviously disagrees with the good faith part), and I would still genuinely like to know what other circumstances would lead him to shun a teenage son or daughter, and what belief system would get him there. I can only think of a few reasons he would avoid those questions, and at this point the onus is on him to prove me wrong. I keep asking him to do just that. I imagine I won't be answered, though. There's a word for avoiding tough interactions, and it isn't "courage."

Skyler, you've been using the term "proper." Is there a particular moral framework you rely on? As in, a specific religion or denomination?

Skyler, still waiting to hear what other behaviors you would shun a teenager for, besides homosexuality. I'm being quite serious. It sounds like teenage pregnancy might be another?

Skyler, you said you would shun a gay son, and you suggested others do likewise. You've clearly thought about shunning, and you find it the appropriate response to this situation. It is reasonable to ask what other situations would merit the same response from you. So I'm directly asking you: in what other circumstances, in response to what other behaviors, do you advocate shunning? Or is it just homosexuality?

What other behaviors would merit a shunning from you, Skylar?

You didn't understand my question. Would you tell him, when he was 16, that you would be shunning him when he turned 18? Or would the shunning come as a surprise to him? I'm just trying to determine the proper shunning behavior.

Skylar, if you had a 16-year-old gay son, and you were planning on shunning him on his 18th birthday by taking him off your car insurance, kicking him out of the house, taking him out of your will, and taking down all the pictures of him from the living room wall, would you tell him beforehand, or would you make it a big birthday surprise?

Wow, Skylar. What a horrific thing to say. You think "shunning" a confused teenager is the best advice you can give to these concerned parents? What, are they supposed to take him out of their will and stop giving him rides to soccer practice? Throw him out of the house?I'm glad you don't have an advice column.

Very well said.

You can subscribe to the audio edition of Uncommon Knowledge and download it using iTunes or another podcast catcher.

I like Ron and Leslie's friendship on Parks and Recreation.

Yeah, the Salem radio guys should be a natural fit.

Get a celebrity endorsement.

I think you should make little "best of" clips from the podcasts and buy audio ad space on Carolla, Stuff You Should Know, This American Life, Radiolab, The Nerdist, etc. That's a huge audience, and podcasts are a significant part of the Ricochet product. Make the pitch there, even -- especially -- to liberal audiences. Challenge them to join, to debate. Take the arguments to them, where they spend their time. Then bring them back here.

Skarv is right. Sell a book. A compendium of the best Ricochet essays. Then do it every year. Sell it to members at a better price than than the public. Probably increase the quality of writing, if every post could potentially make it to print.