A paradox arises when a person is expected to be tolerant of another person's religion, yet that religion espouses certain beliefs that might be considered intolerant outside the context of the religion.

To state one example, in Islam, the four major Sunni and the one major Shia schools agree that a sane adult male apostate must be executed.

Should I be tolerant of that? Obviously, I am tolerant of it happening in Islamic countries, as I've taken no steps in protest. Is it hypocritical to allow it in other countries, but not in my own?

I think Michael Heath knows it is in his best interest to shut down Civil Rights teams. Without a voice of reason or people speaking up for tolerance in high school he can hope for more narrow minded, intolerant adults in the future. More dues paying members for his organization!

I find it ironic that the group of kids he is trying to stop this time around is the same type of kids who would stand up for his right to practice his religion and execute his freedom of speech.

Picked the wrong target this time.

This, my friends, is what humans are designed to do. We take sides, go to war, and in the end strengthen the human race. Democrats vs. Republicans, Capitalists vs. Communists, Yankees vs. Red Sox. As people we take sides. It is our nature to do so. Intolerance is the vehicle for tolerance. In this case I think it's great that the civil rights team is being challenged, for it shines a light on everything that they do to help and can put in check what they do improperly. This is the way it's supposed to be!

I applaud the kids for speaking out for tolerance and acceptance. Heath is only promoting segregation and hatred. It is as though he is trying to move us backwards. How far back does he want to go? This nation (and the world) has had too many instances of extreme intolerance, racism, sexism and blind hatred. All people deserve equal treatment and equal rights.

You posed the question: "Why do you think comments on stories about gay-rights issues always devolve into the same old arguments?" Many people will fall back to the Bible for guidance. For the most part, this is not a bad thing. But keep in mind that the Bible was also used as a supporting argument for slavery. I am not saying that organized religion or the Bible are wrong. I am saying that Jesus preached peace, love and justice.

I worked with civil rights teams and their advisers several years ago. Speaking as an ex-teacher who left public education in Maine in part because of the inadequate response to bullying in schools, and as someone married to an elementary school counselor, the CRT's are by far the best thing going to try and provide education for all in middle and high schools. Justin, I think "core-basics" vs. "bigger community role" is a false dichotomy in describing the school situation. Fact is, frightened or depressed children can't learn. For the kids being bullied, there aren't any core basics.

Heath talks about the CRT's as if they were indoctrination orchestrated from the AG's office in Augusta. This is revealing of Mr. H's mindset, but has no basis in fact. Focus and activities of each team are determined locally in each school, by the kids and their advisers. The students want to address the issues they see occurring in their school. To be sure, there are workshops run and info available from the AG's office, but a given CRT has no obligation to participate.

Seeing even more off topic comments today makes me really wish the Portland Press Herald would take away their little tool showing the most comments of the day. Or at the very least instead of linking directly into the comments section linking to the story itself to TRY and get people to read it.

I think now people are just jumping into comment sections without even knowing the topic of the story on which they are commenting. In this instance it led to an all out brawl, a fair amount of cyber bullying and plenty of comments which should be considered "personal attacks and offensive comments".

I am glad to see people's rational, thoughtful comments here. Hopefully the PPH can find a way to keep their general comment sections more directed.