They aren't out to encourage discussion, just protect viewpoints from opposing views. You are right of course but mods arent exactly enlightened people advocating for free speech or respecting the nature of an open forum.

Yeah pretty regular move on reddit. Can't have an echo chamber if an actual sample of valid points end up being represented. I see so many people on here like "it's so X on reddit, how is it possible we see so many X differing arguments in real life" Reddit is a terrible sample of actual populations because a) certain demographics are naturally more represented on reddit and b) mods work hard to keep their subreddit only expressing the propaganda they want it to express.