Have you learnt anything during your time on Yahoo! Answers Religion & Spirituality? What have you learnt?

Question

I'm feeling a little bummed out that 95% of the people here just like the sound of their own voices, so try to cheer me up. Tell me what you have learnt from the Yahoo! Answers Religion and Spirituality section. I, personally, have learnt a lot from people of all persuasions and I'm thankful to have had the opportunity. You?

Please, please, please no cut-and-paste... I don't think my fragile heart can take it...

sexygyrl: You might also have learnt in college to shut your mouth when you don't know what you're talking about, you arrogant American:

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/learnt

Answer 1

Well, I think I have learned a few things.

I've learned that people can surprise me, some who I thought would react negatively to something I wrote, did not, and showed amazing open-mindedness.

I've learned that people can become rabid about their beliefs.

I've learned that it can be fun and educational to pick on someone who is being a real jerk.

I've learned that there are people who think similarly to me.

I've learned what Pascal's Wager is.

I've learned that people with a sense of humor, regardless of religion, are my favorites.

I've learned that there are some deeply disturbed people with internet access.

But mostly, I get a lot of laughs, and an opportunity to blow off some steam.

Answer 2

I have learnt not to take things personally if people give me put-down, ignorant, self-centered and judgmental answers.

I have also learnt to be more loving, kind, wise, nonjudgmental, open and giving with my answers because the opposite did not feel good.

I have learnt that I enjoy sharing what I know about spirituality and religion. It is great to know that I am putting to use of reading about it for the last 18 years (yes hundreds of books on this topic, I LOVE to read!).

I have also learnt to see the diamonds in Y!A among the coals.

Answer 3

Cheer up, sweetie. This is just a taste of the culture war. Everyone has a right to be where they are, and live life as they want. When ideologies clash it's like a cold front and warm front colliding, storms erupt. Very natural. I'm learning how it feels to stand in the storm and feel the wind and the lightning. It's pretty exciting really. Let's hear more from you. Where are you spiritually? How's your life going?

Answer 4

I have learned a lot actually. I feel that answers is a relatively good reflection of society. I am exposed to a better cross-section of people here than I would have been otherwise. For instance, I have never had a serious conversation in person with anyone who accepts a literal interpretation of the Bible.

Essentially I feel that Answers gives me a better approximation of the current religious climate.

Answer 5

I have learned a bit of what is meant by the phrase "the rapture". (I think it refers to a belief in the 2nd coming of Jesus where all the believers get taken to heaven and the people left behind get burned to ashes). I believe in the 2nd coming, but think it will be different from what I just described. "The rapture" is not a phrase used in my church so I could still be wrong in the definition.

I've learned that there are a lot of people who make ignorant accusations about other religions. I've seen false accusations about Muslims, Catholics, Jehovahs Witnesses, & Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). I once saw that someone wrote that people in my church pray to Antony Smith....lol....Who is Antony Smith? People who jump to conclusions make themselves look foolish.

I've also learned that their are quite a lot of good people here who don't base their judgements on rumors. Some of these people even defend those of other faiths when they hear bogus accusations. It's pretty cool actually.

Answer 6

I learned an interpretation of the Bible regarding the solar system is that the Earth is the center of God's universe, not the physical universe.

The church misinterpreted it for a long time and placed Galileo under house arrest. But clearly, we should understand the difference between poetry and science.

Answer 7

I've learned that as much as some believers detest non-believers, they despise each other even more. I never heard the derogatory description "baby Christian" before joining this forum. And if Y!A users are correct, then apparently there is no such thing as a "true Christian."

Go figger.

Answer 8

I have learned that non believers don't like believers opinions but yet ask for them. I learned that every ones is trying to convert. I learned that people see God as a crutch,Hitler,rapist,homosexual,racist and I could go on! My faith has not waiver and I am getting stronger in my faith. People's persuasions are lethal to others but not to me.

Answer 9

It's fun...I learned that Christians can be very different from each other, but all of them ( I mean real ones) have insightful thoughts.
I also learned that it must be a cool business to open forum for religious questions - all people want to know God (but some just don't know that).

Answer 10

I've learned that the online generation appears to have an average IQ 10 points less than my generation did at the same age ... and I suspect those online are above average.