Question for everyone?

Question

There have been many questions asked on yahoo answers in the religion section which go along these lines:

Question for atheists . . . 1. How did the Big Bang occur? 2. How did life start?

As many of you know, I'm an agnostic not trying to convert anyone and just building the yahoo answers database of question and answers, so here is my question on this topic:

1. Why is this question asked specifically for Atheists to answer?

2. Aren't these questions more a science question, and belong in the science section of yahoo answers to create a database of questions and answers?

3. If the point of these questions is to point out the flaws of the Atheist view, is yahoo answers the appropriate forum for this?

4. For everyone who uses this as a forum to try and change other people's world view - is it an appropriate forum?

5. Is it right to ask questions about topics with the intent of persuading someone to a specific political ideology?

Answer 1

1. They are interested (though not necessarily openly) in the major opposing viewpoint/

2. Yes, but they are interested for religious reasons, and not necessarily trying to learn--plus, atheists that hang out in R&S are interested in responding with special consideration to the theological ramifications.

3. ...give a **** what's "appropriate," that word has negative connotation to me.

4. See #3

5. It is RIGHT to persuade SOME PEOPLE who are not right in their beliefs. You don't have to treat everyone equal once you figure out they need special treament. Equality of treatment is subordinate to some things, like criminality. You wouldn't treat a violent drunk the same as your grandma, and YOU DON'T NEED TO RESPECT ALL BELIEFS EQUALLY.

Answer 2

1. I guess since they don't belong in God they have to believe the Earth was created somehow and since the big bang is the only other theory people assume they believe that.

2. Yes, they are science questions and should be asked in the science section, you're right.

3. Yahoo! Answers is open to any question as long as they follow the guidelines its appropriate.

4. See answer to question #3.

5. How do you persuade with a question. Isn't a question just inquiring of what others think. Persuading is when people make comments instead of questions and that isn't right. That's not what this forum is for. Those people need to join Yahoo! Groups or something.

Answer 3

I have to admit, I have found the responses thus far to your questions hilarious.

They, more than anything, illustrate how Yahoo Answers is anything but a serious forum. If you still want earnest responses, however:

1. Perhaps because the answer from the creationist standpoint would simply be that God caused the Big Bang and for life to start. In other words, why ask people whose answers you already know?

2. That the question is posted in the religion section indicates that the poster is interested in answers that address religious issues. If they were interested in science, that section is where they would have put it.

3, 4 and 5. The responses you've received already should indicate to you that no one gives a @#$% what kind of forum Yahoo Answers is. Appropriate? Is it right? Such questions are meaningless here, and on the Internet in general.

Answer 4

I will attempt to answer your question(s).

1 and 2. I don't spend much time in the religion section because it seems like a place where questioners primarily want to insult and offend persons with different belief systems. I do spend more time in the science section and the two specific questions you listed are asked there multiple times on a daily basis. Perhaps you should check out that section.
Why do YOU think it is directed to atheists when placed in the religious section? An atheist doesn't believe God exists so people who do believe in God are asking how they explain the origin of life and the universe. I have seen the same question posed to Christians: Where did God come from? How did He make the world etc. I have seen that one in the science section. It goes both ways, friend.
3 and 4. Who is to judge whether this is the proper forum for anything? Why don't you check with Yahoo answers directly? People on here try to persuade others of all kinds of things:
why this band/music genre is best, why this team should have won; how we should all think politically; why we should or should not pull out of Iraq, support Israel, allow gay marriage. You really must visit some other areas and see the variety of soap-boxers.
5. Does Yahoo have a rule against it? I didn't see one. And I think that is what you are doing albeit in a more subtle way.

People who come here do so for a variety of reasons. Many of them do wish to push their ideology on others; some just want to answer questions that appeal to them, be entertained, learn a thing or two, ask questions of their own, read other perspectives.
There are a numerous types of questions I would like to see eliminated, but I don't want that much policing on this site. Price we pay for freedom of expression.

Answer 5

First of all, I really like your questions! They really make people think!

OK, here goes:

>>>1. Why is this question (about the Big Bang) asked specifically for Atheists to answer?<<<

Perhaps the people who ask this question just assume (not necessarily correctly) that the Christians and other "religious folks" don't believe in the Big Bang. So they aim the question at people who do believe in it.

>>>2. Aren't these questions more a science question, and belong in the science section of yahoo answers to create a database of questions and answers?<<<

Yes, I think so.

>>>3. If the point of these questions is to point out the flaws of the Atheist view, is yahoo answers the appropriate forum for this?<<<

I don't think there's anything wrong with asking questions that challenge someone to explain and defend their point of view.

>>>4. For everyone who uses this as a forum to try and change other people's world view - is it an appropriate forum?<<<

Probably not. I'm big into explaining Catholicism -- and I always try to express myself in ways that explain it, and not necessarily to try to convert people to it.

But if my explanations of Catholicism happen to play a role in someone's conversion to Catholicism, then great.

>>>5. Is it right to ask questions about topics with the intent of persuading someone to a specific political ideology? <<<

Ideally, that's probably not what this forum is for. But it's just human nature.

It happens in courtrooms -- lawyers ask questions that they know (or at least hope) will yield answers that are favorable to their case. So it's just human nature that it happens here as well.

Answer 6

1. it is the atheists who believe this is the way the universe started. since the believers think that the bible says how the universe REALLY started, then those who disagree with them should be able to back up their own reasons with evidence. **the bible IS NOT evidence

2. believers think that this section is for THEM ONLY. and those who bring scientific mumbo jumbo in here should go elsewhere so that these believers can congregate toeghter here and set up camp. since science has no part to play in religion, they do not venture outside their realm of comfort in order to be enlightened

3. yahoo answers is denfinitely NOT the forum in which to be doing this. it is easier since everyone is anonymous, cloaked behind a firewall and such. were it were to be known who was saying what, I think this section would actually be a bit more civilized than it is now, theoretically of course.

4. appropriate to a certain point. if one is trying to persuade the views of others, then any public forum like this would be a suitable location in which to achieve that goal. this avenue allows people to reach others far across the nation with the click of a button. lazy it is but effective to a certain extent, at least as far as reaching others to spread your word.

5. questions can be asked however they are. whether someone simply states a simple question OR if their intent is persuade rather than truly question, only those of weak and simple minds will be persuaded into believing what it is the other wants them to believe. don't think there are many people on here who get persuaded into anothers beliefs simply by what a simple post had said. possible, but then again the question of that individuals mind comes into play

Answer 7

1. Probably for the same reason some Atheists ask specific questions for Christians, other than that I don't know.
2. Maybe, but in the same regards I have viewed more than the usual Atheists who choose to use their "creative" ways to persuade as well.
3. Since it is the Religion section, I think pointing out "flaws" if you will defeats the purpose of loving everyone, as Christ does.
4. I think it is probably more easier in here to state my views, than it is to openly speak them on a public street.
5. Right - no. But you will find anyone and everyone always trying to do that. Persuading is not Christ's intent, love is where He stands, and that is what it should all be about.

Answer 8

You cheat: the rules say you must pay 5 points per question. Under the guise of asking a question, you slipped in 7. I am not going ot be upset because I have not had so good a laugh in a long time. I actually roared. First, I love the fact that you were not bashful about using your picture on the post and secondly, each response got funnier and funnier. I don't know if you did it accidentally, but I promise you this: definitely, I will look out for your next question.

Boaz.
By the way, since you posted seven, you have six more to post before I am qualified to answer this one.

Answer 9

1) The people who ask those cosmological questions have bought into the view that science is trying to disprove god and that science is atheistic and atheists use science to avoid religious conclusions. So they are hoping to shake the atheist view by demonstrating that it's built with feet of clay. They don't ask Christians because they are looking specifically to disprove what they see as the foundation of atheism. Just as others ask "Christians: Did Adam and Eve's kids have incest?"- they are seeking to argue against a particular perceived viewpoint so they don't care what people who don't have that viewpoint have to say on the subject. (not that people who ask such questions care about what the people they are arguing to have to say, they just want to make it clear who they are aiming their argument at.)
2) The askers don't get that science and atheism are two entirely different subjects. They don't get that most believers in the Big Bang are theists. They don't get that a lot of atheists have no stance on cosmological finer points. They themselves mix science and religion so they assume that everyone who disagrees with them does the same. Plus, they don't want the answers from people who really understand physics. They are hoping to stump people who share their own general fogginess on the whole thing and see it all in terms of metaphors, not mathematics.
3) This could be an appropriate forum. I'd like to think there are people who ask questions because they'd like answers or at least to find out how others think. Unfortunately, as you point out, most of the time it's just rhetoric. They treat this area as a place where they can lecture without having to engage in actual debate. They can pick and choose answers to post edited responses to but the answerer can't similarly respond. So they get to do the opening argument and the rebuttal. Then in the end they get to sit as judge and pick as the best answer the one that says "Amen, you are so right." That's a shame. Take the guy who keeps posting preaching like "Why is Jesus so glorious? I'm a Jew and I love Jesus..." Is he asking any questions? hell no.
4) Socrates would say that asking questions is a good way to get people to examine their views and change the erroneous ones. As we've all noticed, none of these people is Socrates. Plus the Socratic dialogue is ongoing whereas these are one shot questions, often repeating the same question again and ignoring the answers received.
5) It's best to ask legitimate questions. But those who do are in the minority. This isn't a place for polemics, it's a place for questions. But then, by asking this aren't you yourself trying to help persuade people to ask real questions and not give lectures? It's awfully tempting to try to change people by asking the right questions.

Answer 10

1) Because the questioner wants only athiests to answer the question. I can't read minds, so that's the best answer I can give you.

2) Depends. I can see it going to both groups with no conflict. Creationist-evolutionists, like me, can see evidence for both sides of the question. However, since we're dealing with history and times no one living actually saw, all we have are theories. As we both know, a theory will stand until a better one comes a long.

3) Leading question. Athiests could argue they are using Yahoo Answers to shoot down religious arguments. But to address the question, Yahoo created this forum for open discussion of such topics, so my answer is yes.

4) The free exchange of ideas is the central focal point of an open society. That includes the freedom to try and convinces others your POV is right and theirs wrong.

5) The Socratic method of learning/teaching is the best to my way of thinking. It encourages critical thought. Also, see answer 4.

Answer 11

I think the average person who asks questions like that really isn't looking for the answer, they want to "stump" all the atheists and make themselves look smart.

Yes, I would agree that anyone with sincere interest or questions about the big bang would be better off checking out the Science section on here. And MUCH better off taking a course in evolution or physics.