To both sides of the dialog....?

Question

Once again I am seeing the bottom of the barrell being scraped on yahoo answers. I see closed minded christians trying to shove their beliefs in the faces of others. I see athiests antagonizing christians with innapropriate questions that are vulgar and rude. And of course there are those out here to actually have a decent discussion. And a few gamers looking for points. So I actually have a couple of questions. 1. What good are you producing by shoving beliefs at people?(religious people) 2. Why is it necessary for you to bait believers?(atheists) Why are either of you actually here, other than to gratify your own ego.(selfish to the max) I know this ? does not apply to all out here. The people it is directed at know who they are and will probably just blast away an answer for two points. But if someone is actually honest ....well....ya never know.

Answer 1

Man, this is a great question, and it will be on my watch list... Thanks.

Answer 2

When I first came here I, of course, had to ask for proof of god's existence. These days that might be seen as "baiting," but back in the days of beta testing, when there were only a few thousand of us it was quite different. For a while there was actually a dialogue, especially between Schneb and myself and I actually realized how much I, an atheist, had in common with a young-Earth Christian. Just when I felt like some real progress was being made, BOOM, the floodgates opened and the site became what it is today, more of a public wall to scribble nasty things on than a place to actually find answers (well, at least as far as R&S goes. I couldn't say what they're doing over in Health and Beauty.)

I try to remain respectful, despite the fact that every day I read things that I know are designed to get under my skin. (We get baited, too, and the worst part is that often it is not intentional, people truly believe that we are unfeeling monsters.)

These days I mostly stop by to answer questions targeted at atheists to the best of my ability. I also like to see what the rogues gallery of disbelief are up to. I regulary check up on Mr. Darwin (of course), edsawyer, sanstheism, and the rest of the gang.

I don't know if I've given up on the idea of respectful debate, but I do acknowledge that this place is so full of nastiness that it's hard to make even the tiniest stride forward without being insulted. I wish I could say that it's like water off a duck's back, but it's not, and it gets old fast. Then again, I've been here longer than most, so maybe I still have hope.

Answer 3

I think this is a great question, because as a Christian, I am also tired of people professing their faith in this forum. I don't fault people for having faith, but pushing it here is both cowardly and immature. If you are a proper Christian, then have the bravery (and faith) to front your beliefs in person where someone can answer you back in person, not on an impersonal website like this.

When Jesus was on Earth, he spoke face to face with people and he allowed them to reply to the things he said. He never shouted at people and he never berated people who didn't deserve it.

I can't speak for the atheists on this site, but I would much rather talk face to face with someone as opposed to antagonizing them in a forum where they can't respond at all to what I have to say.

This site is basically for fun, and it should be used with that in mind.

Answer 4

I am concerned at the preponderance of fear-based polarized points and counterpoints (points are the goal here right?). But, I have also been heartened by some variety of beliefs coupled with reality-based reason.

I am Christian, I am Athiest, I am Wiccan, I am Muslin, I am Hindu, I am Jew, I am aboriginal/indigenous, I am Buddhist, I am New-Age, I am Heathen, I am Heretic, I am Good and I am Evil. I can live with all of that.

More importantly, I am human living in the *here and now* with creativity and imagination and agree with the Bard, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

Answer 5

I would hope that people would use this forum to respectfully exchange ideas, learn more about other religions or belief systems, and come here with an open mind, willing to learn about other people and their lifestyles. However, that, sadly, is not the case, and the forum has become nothing more than a place for self-rightous preaching

Answer 6

this is a very good question. i am a christian and i don't shove my beliefs at anyone, but i do try to answer questions as honestly as i possibly can. i get what you are saying though, and honestly, the fighting will never end on yahoo answers or in real life.

Answer 7

good luck getting honest answers from them