Progressives vs Conservatives: can we co-exist without killing each other?

Comment:
"The point I'd like to get across though is that Conservative does not always = Christian."

Response:
"True, but if you apply God's word to every area of your life, including politics, you will be a conservative."

- From this blog.

The original post was asking its conservative readers if they wanted to allow 'progressive' readers to continue commenting on the blog. It brings up a whole raft of questions, but what struck me most about this post and the comments is that it seemed to be encouraging intellectual inbreeding. The tone of the majority indicated that questioning the mainstream conservative line was tantamount to heresy, and that they did not appreciate comments from a different point of view. (Despite this, a number said they appreciated dissenting opinions and thought shutting such comments down amounted to unhealthy censorship).

Having said this, it sounded like many of the exchanges in previous posts had been heated, insulting, immature and generally left a bad taste in people's mouths. Going by the rare 'progressive' comments left, this went for both sides. So I can understand why conservatives felt as though they were being attacked or disrespected for their opinions; and on their 'home ground', to boot.

My question is, how can progressives or liberals respond in a way that isn't reactionary and equally as damaging? Are we able to engage in debate with conservatives without either side verbally beating the other to death?

Despite being liberal myself, I have often observed liberals tend to demonise conservatives and refer to them in highly derogatory ways on a constant basis. I understand why they do - in my experience, very conservative Christians often debate aggressively, as if attacking the person behind the argument rather than discussing the argument itself.

But I don't think that's an excuse for us to return the favour. In fact, if liberals claim to be more Christ-like than conservatives, it stands to reason we should be able to debate with respect for others, even if (or when) they don't.

To take things further, I think we need to extend this level of respect and humanity (because I can't think of a better word for it) to all aspects of interactions between the two factions.

Yes, many of us who came from conservative backgrounds were hurt by various things that were said or done, and have subsequently left. But arrogantly posturing or putting others down because we now 'know better' defeats the purpose.

Yes, we've found a form of faith that 'fits', and spaces where we are allowed to be ourselves when we previously couldn't. But as Christians (or ex-Christians) who've been on the receiving end, we should realise that such antagonistic behaviour is what made us leave. It's not going to encourage unity or positive relationships between groups.

I do recall Jesus wombling on about "loving your enemies" at some point. Perhaps - if it's not too heretical to suggest this - we should? In this context, conservatives and liberals have come to see each other as enemies. That's something that clearly needs to change, if we are to continue living on the same planet without killing each other.

So, how do we do that?