I mean: there are lots of believers AND non-believers who seem to always have the answer for any question about religion & spirituality - or even about everything.
How are they different from "fanatics"?
2006-09-06 02:15:41 · 25 answers · asked by Axel ∇ 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
See: I don't always have the good questions lol. Nor the good answers. :-)
2006-09-06 02:24:45 · update #1
I completely agree. They'd do well to understand that "there's none so blind as he who will not see!"
2006-09-06 02:22:25 · answer #1 · answered by clarity 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
My friend I guess in my opinion it all depends on how you view a fanatic. Here is the definition in the Yahoo Ref Dictionary: A person marked or motivated by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm, as for a cause.
The way I do read it, the answer lies in the motivation for giving "an" answer. Do you in your view see the extreme unreasoning enthusiasm? If so then I guess you can say they are a fanatic from your view.
With you using the word "the" in your question and not the word "an" before answer, I suspect that you are referring to those who seem to insist you see their view as the correct view. That for me is not the correct approach that one should take who is answering a question. I personally believe that each one who does have an answer may give the answer that is good enough for the one who does give it, but it may not be correct or acceptable for the one who did ask the question. If one wants to say he has an answer, that is fine with me but when one says he has "the" answer or the correct answer, I must consider that from my view to see if in my opinion it is flawless and constantly consistent truth as I see the constantly consistent truth. Even for those who do say they know the bible, it is written that the more noble did listen then go home to check it out to test it to see if it was the truth. Just do likewise and let the others think what they want.
While doing that just smile, have a good day, learn something new each day then ask another question OK. Just remember all the others are existing for a purpose and designed to help you to grow by gaining insight. It says Man sharpens man - so just get sharp so when you are called upon to cut, you can cut very nicely ha ha ha
2006-09-07 06:12:46 · answer #2 · answered by cjkeysjr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A fanatic is a person who has an extreme and unreasoning commitment to cause. Look it up.
But I sense your "question" is really a statement of frustration, and I think you are being frustrated by what this type of forum is designed to produce. You are at a pig farm complaining that you see pigs.
In cases of "revelatory" religion, where most of the answers are mere assertions and speculation that have been constructed over centuries to be immune to testing, you get the programmed answers from people that have had any questioning beaten out of them in some cases, so you get what you get.
I have AN answer for almost everything. Frequently the answer is "I don't really know." But there would be little point on a blog titled "Yahoo Answers" to post on every question I know nothing about, "I don't know" which doesn't contribute anything to answering the question.
2006-09-06 09:35:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
People who think that they know the answer to your question will respond, and people who think that they don't know will not answer at all.
Some people have a lot of answers because they actually took the time and effort to study their religion or their beliefs (or lack thereof) due to the fact that they honestly believe in it.
Being a know-it-all migh be annoying, but it is not the same, I suppose, as someone who is constantly trying to attack other points of view in order to try to prove something. I guess the difference is motive.
It is difficult to guess the motives of other people, so I would not brand someone as a fanatic just because he is annoying, if he actually has an intellegent point to make. Someone spounting short, silly arguments, or engaging in name calling, on the other hand, is probably just being immature.
Besides, if you didn't want an answer, then why are you asking questions anyway? Just to prove to someone that you are smarter than they are? If you seem to make it into a contest of wits, then obviously the other person will refuse to concede defeat and say "I don't know", because no one wants to look stupid. Once someone's pride is offended, they will argue to the bitter end.
2006-09-06 09:45:42 · answer #4 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christain, I am not a fanatic, If someone ask me something,, If I know the answer, I will tell them, But If I don't know the answer, I will be honest & tell them I don't know, I have been a Christain for over 36 yrs. & I am still in the process of learning. I never will touch on a subject or a question until I know what I am talking about, I do agree that some young Christain can be over zealous, they are young in the Lord, I have seen some Give their life to God, & the very next day, they are ready to tell the world what the bible says. They are over zealous, A one day Christain do not know what the bible says. But it is also the same way with Atheist, agnostics, & unbelievers, They think they know it all, Christainity is a on going process.
2006-09-06 09:25:19 · answer #5 · answered by birdsflies 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Always having AN answer is not the same as having THE answer, as in the "right" answer. Especially in the R&S section, I feel our answers are really more of opinions and beliefs than fact.
I enjoy this, as I like hearing how others view the world, and about their belief systems.
However, I think this is the exact reason why there are so many arguments in this section. There are a lot of answerers who feel their belief is fact, and it angers them that others want to believe differently.
2006-09-06 09:45:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fanatics are those who cease their learning and refuse to rethink.
At answering this question of yours, I rethink to see whether I am fanatic or not.
If any other people told me that I am fanatic, Ilooked back into all what I have learned and believed. And usually I see many of my previous concepts are wrong!
2006-09-06 09:30:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fanatics are dogmatic. They INSIST that they are right and that they have the truth. If you listen carefully to people from various churches, they often say that their church is "the" place to attend. Some of them go as far as to bash other people's beliefs, by calling them false prophets or by dismissing their claims to know God. A fanatic always thinks he or she is right, even when they don't know the answer.
2006-09-06 09:32:14 · answer #8 · answered by SB 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A person who always has the answer but isn't a fanatic doesn't push their answer on anyone like the fanatics do.
2006-09-06 09:20:30 · answer #9 · answered by Squirrel 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Most that know are not fanatics!
A fanatic only has an idea of the truth!
2006-09-06 12:25:22 · answer #10 · answered by Grandreal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I cannot respond about the non-believers-- but I will respond regarding the Christians.
Always having the answer is not fanatic.....
As Christians we are told to be ready in season and out..... at all times to defend our faith and to speak the words.
We are also told not to be concerned because the Holy Spirit will bring to mind those things which we need.
NOTE: In order for things to be brought to mind... they have to be learned in the first place. So Christians Study to show themselves approved.
Every answer you see on here is not necessarily Biblically sound.... Test them out to the Bible.
2006-09-06 09:27:49 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋