jother: “Fluorescent light bulbs- my rav paskens they are different than incandescent bulbs”
Would you mind asking your Rav the reason. According to my research, the cathode in a fluorescent lamp contains a filament heated between 1000 degrees Kelvin and 2500. I don’t doubt his knowledge, I would like to hear a reason to be lenient. BTW, Orchos Shabbos 16:7 also rules that they are Mavir due to the spark.
I’m glad we have narrowed our disagreement regarding using a young child. I think where we stand is that I only question your comment “But if I hold him near the light and give no indication either way, then it is daas atzmo”. I think that at 18 months a child would realize why you are holding him next to the switch. I don’t mind agreeing to disagree on this minor detail.
regarding Shul: since my opinion is that fluorescent lighting is d’Oraisa, there would be no grounds for leniency, even for the others.