I think conversations like this are a part of why we have trouble attracting new contributors (of any gender) to the community.
It's very clear that my use of the word (which I shan't make the mistake of repeating!) is not acceptable to many on this list. I apologise unreservedly to anyone I have unintentionally offended by the use of this word, I shall not do so again; I would only say in my defence that I was not intending to characterise all feminists in that way, rather to distinguish the sort of feminists to whom the fact that a text refers to "man" or "he" is offensive from the sort of feminists who I admire and respect - those who fight for real equality, who use intelligent argument and who have affected real change for good in my lifetime.
I can clearly see that my use of language has, ironically enough, invalidated my argument somewhat. I have said my last on the subject.
