What you say has merit Joanne, except that I meant laughing at true nonsense, not just another point of view. I try my hardest to always see other people's side of things, even if I violently disagree. However, some things are so patently nonsense, especially silly old ideas that people keep trying to bring back, like the theory that little green men built the pyramids, that you just have to laugh at them. And another thing. I didn't say to laugh at nonsense before you had investigated it, just before you attacked it. The two are not synonomous you know. Investigate, laugh, then attack
As for the nonsense-spouter getting defensive, well thats probobly going to happen as soon as you attack their nonsense whether you laugh at them or not, and if you don't laugh, then they might think you actually take them seriously,and I try not to ever take nonsense seriously, or I might cry.
"When one is striding bravely into the future, one cannot watch one's footing."
"Martyrdom is often the result of excessive gullibility."