On reddit when things go to -8 it's for one reason only: They are pro religion, or pro israel, or conservative. (OK, that's 3, but it's basically the same thing.)
On reddit stupid stuff usually gets a plus vote, and people express agree/disagree via votes.
This is NOT the way HN is run, and people coming here from reddit have a hard time adjusting. So we need threads like this approximately monthly.
Maybe PG can require all new members to read some kind of etiquette guide (with a quiz).