I haven't been on here long, but I must say that this is one the best forums I've been on for staying on topic.
I've been on numerous other hobby forums with much more politics/religion/etc. being talked about than I've seen here.
It just seems to me that there is something deeper bugging some members, and the occasional off-topic thread is just the straw to break the camel's back.
Always sorry to see this happen.
YMMV...