I am all for people who practice mercy and admit error, but I think what is being described here is something more than simple rude behavior.

On this issue, I agree with a passage I saw earlier this week.

(Possibly by the writer Hilaire Belloc?)

It says simply that: “All conflict is ultimately theological.”

I mean, I guess you can fight outside of theism.

But it’s not clear why it matters, why anyone should care, or what makes mercy and grace valuable in the first place.

Some people ditch friends and lovers because it’s easier to get new ones than to resolve conflicts with the old ones, particularly if resolving a conflict requires one to admit error or practice mercy. I’m describing an asshole. But what if the asshole thinks he’s ditching an asshole?

-Sarah Manguso, 300 Arguments (Amazon)