keeping windows from shifitng context

It seems like it has got worse over the years.
But then, computers are faster and we run many more programs.

I am absolutely tired of not have control over my windows.
The default behavior is the exact opposite of the green screen.
Does anybody know what setting will prevent an opening window or an
"becoming active" window from taking context?
for example, when you open gmail and are typing in a word document, it
shifts windows on you.

Assume that the offending program is following the rules, I realize
that any program can take context.

I am not talking about the "flash" or "not flash" when window is active.
I have looked at system tweakers and have yet to see the correct setting.