As far as I know, politics and religion are topics that are considered as protected speech. If there is no formalized rule or other effective mechanism for banning those topics, we can discuss politics and religion here. We usually get into cyberwars when that happens.
I do not know what bgriffin was intending to accomplish with his opening post. If he was trying to implicate another member, that would be different than simply posting a thread that could become political, religious, or include additional topics and remain civil.
Bach is not noise, Madam. (Robert, in Two's Company)