He asked what people thought about a Canon lens. Nikon users need not apply.
You're right. However, comparing and contrasting is one of the easiest and most direct ways to discern the nature of a thing, and the closest comparison to a 50mm f/1.8 is a 50mm f/1.8. Otherwise, this thread would have had a single response: "It's good, sharp, fast, and reliable for the money." Any other extension of the discussion inevitably leads to spending more money on technically superior lenses.
It's not like they can hope to win a convert to a new camera system if the OP is considering budget hardware in the first place.
I don't think anybody has tried to convert anyone, and I think it's silly of you to suggest it. There is very useful information in seeing where one piece of gear stands in relation to similar gear, even if that similar gear is not as accessible. For instance, if the consensus in the thread were that the Canon 50/1.8 were inferior to a competitor's, one may want to examine other wide aperture primes in the Canon line (there are plenty), or even third-party options (I'm a shill for the Sigma 30mm f/1.4).
I understand that these discussions can become heated, but in this case I think you are wrong to get pissy about it.