Avi K.
“As for the topic of that debate, perhaps the team should have entered and given the Torah view. As for the opposing point of view, they are going to eventually encounter it. ”
I think your response was the most significant point in Avirah’s comment. A matter that is a clear issur d’oraisa is not something that should be considered a matter of debate in a orthodox Jewish school. A debate suggests that there are two legitimate sides to the matter. Dah mah lehashiv is not that it is a matter of debate.
Additionally I believe Avirah’s comment about honesty was not that he felt it is not important. His point was that this was used as an excuse to not address an elephant in the room. The people there felt smug, the Rabbi can speak about honesty because we all think we are honest. But heaven forfend he should talk about same sex marriages, because his crowd would find that threatening. Or perhaps not woke.
Asd far as your comment about demonization, I think there is more than a little of the pot calling the kettle black.
What is defined as anti- MO on the forums, for the most part is not directed at center or right leaning MO as much as those who are way off to the left on the way to or including those who once called themselves (or to use their language, “identified as”) “Open” orthodox. This does not need more explanation.