DY, first, let me just say I very much appreciate that our discussion is polite and civil. Thank you.
Regarding the “serious inconsistencies”:
“Moving out, while indicating that the thieves won, does not in any way mean that the yetzer horah won.”
I should not have used the word “won”. I should have said “in control”. And yes, avoiding a nisayon is a good thing when possible, as long as it isn’t a constant problem. But there comes a point where it is far better to turn around and deal with the nisayon properly than to keep running from it.
“Building a fence, we agree, is not ideal, but can be helpful.”
Yes. Which means that having a filter, without proper the education to defend yourself with when you find yourself in a situation without a filter, is not ideal.
“Learning to defend yourself is great, but you somehow forgot to mention that the thieves may win, and you’ll be dead.”
Of course, which is why the second protection of having a fence can help with that problem. So having both is best. But regarding having one or the other, it’s better to know self defense than to just have a fence. Also, I think many people are under the impression that it’s like a 50/50 chance if you or the thieves will win. But that isn’t the reality in regard to being properly educated about what is wrong with certain things on the internet. Someone who IS properly educated in regard to those things, and is responsible, will win almost all of the time. I say almost, because saying “always” is false. Which is why a fence (filter) will make your chances even better.
I agree that merely self control will not protect you 100 percent of the time, since periodic falls can, and will, happen. I am just against the massive focus on having filters, without focusing on how important self control is, and how becoming educated in WHY things are wrong is far better than having a filter without that knowledge.