Interesting thread. Wish I had gotten here sooner. So, I'll go back and respond to Set's original question.
Quote:So, please tell me how you would deal with a situation in which you see someone you like and respect posting something which is offensive to the ideas you hold dear.
Set, the answer for me is rather easy. I do my best to point out that I disagree with their views by simply stating my views as plainly as I can (often not succeeding as well as I would like, but that's another story) and without adding comments that would be viewed as insulting. In other words, I do my best to avoid the personal comments, even when I may at times be thinking them. Insulting others, even when they insult me or my views or my values, is in my opinion a useless endeavor.
So, my suggestion, for what it is worth, is simply to unemotionally state your objections to their post (whether they are a friend or not) and go from there. Of course, this is easier said than done.