Question for everyone in R+S?

Question

What have you learned from someone who has a different religious viewpoint than yours?

anything positive?

anything at all?

Are you here to get different perspectives on R+S issues? or are you here to argue?

and finally, just a general..why are you here?

I'm here to see different views. I'm here to speak my mind on some things that upset me, and I'm here to ask questions about the Bible, since I'm reading it at the moment.

I'm also here because my job hasn't paid me for the past 2 weeks.

Answer 1

I am always learning about religions, but here it is a lot of arguing. I would say I do learn from a few people on here, religious or not. Mostly not.

Why am I here? Why do atheists talk so much about God if they don't believe in Him? Atheists in the USA talk about god and religion so much because of the profound impact religion has on them. religion is in our face everywhere we go. Everywhere the religious are attempting barbaric takeovers in an attempt to strip us of our rights. Everywhere in the USA there are Christians trying to destroy the wall between church and state. Christians trying to make belief in god a requirement and the rules of the bible our laws. Christians forget that the last time the church and state were one is referred to as The Dark Ages. It is a major concern. Christians trying to ban the teaching of evolution in schools. Christians trying to force religion on our children. Christians burning books. Christians showing up at gay funerals with signs that read "God hates fags". Christians shooting abortion doctors and blowing up clinics. Christians (Pat Robertson for one) grouping us morally with child molesters, murderers, and thieves. Christians like Former President George Bush saying we're not even citizens. Christians everywhere are in an all out attack to destroy us and they have the audacity to think we would not be concerned? Atheists do not go knocking on doors telling Christians that they are stupid and they're going to hell and how sorry we feel for them. Atheists don't tell Christians what to think and what to believe in. The Christians fundies claim they are being assaulted by us, yet they are the ones who do all the assaulting.

Oh, and I am here to insult "Selnyk"

Answer 2

Yes, I've learned many things from people her at R&S whose religious viewpoint is different than my own, most of it positive. Yes, I am here to get different perspectives on religious issues. I'm not here to argue.

Most of the time I don't read other peoples answers until I've submitted my own. Sometimes I do take exception to an answer and go back to update my answer, but usually I let my ratings express how I feel about an answer, even though no one knows it came from me.

I'm here to share my viewpoint on honest questions (not all the junk/contentious psuedo-questions out there), and ask a few questions of my own every now and then.

Answer 3

I come here to answer questions on subjects that I have studied and have an understanding of.

I do not tend to answer questions that are hateful or silly. If I get a feel that the questioner really wants a truthful answer, even if the question seems a bit off, then I will answer it.

being female, I have very few opportunities to teach and minister to others, this is a place where my gender doesnt get in the way of what I have learned.

I do not have to be "someone important" to answer a question and that gives me a feeling of being used positively by God without mans rules in the way.

Answer 4

Respect! I have learned that no matter what your religious view is, people generally have a love of family and friends. If we would just stick to the commonalities in our lives instead of the differences, we'd all be a lot farther ahead.

I enjoy R&S because I believe that knowledge and tolerance are the keys to understanding and creating a better future for us all.

Answer 5

I have learned that most people are trying to fill a void in their lives.They may be attracted to a religion because it seemed more accepting of different races and social standings,some people are drawn to a religion that tickles their ears and tells them what they want to here,such as,as long as you are a member of this church or say these magic words,you can act how you want and you will still go to heaven.All in all they want to know that someone greater than themselves is in charge and Loves them.
I am here to learn things about others and also to answer things that I feel may be beneficial.

Answer 6

Dear southpaw,

I come to the R+S of Yahoo Answers to be a witness for the Lord (Jesus Christ). I know that I cannot convert anyone because salvation is of the Lord. However, true believers are to "sow" the seed (the word of God). God Almighty is the Only One that give life (physical and spiritual). We read in Romans 10:17, "So then, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Faith is a synonym for the Lord Jesus Christ because He is the Only One that is Faithful and True. So then, Christ cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. If the Lord intends to save a person, it will occur in the environment of -hearing- the word of God. Ephesians 2:1 tells us that all of mankind is DEAD (spiritually) in sins and trespasses. As with Lazarus being raised from the physically dead, so too, for one to be redeemed (saved) the Lord must give them "ears to hear." A spiritually DEAD person cannot hear the word of God nor obey it. The Lord does ALL the work of salvation. After someone is saved they receive a new resurrected soul in which they have an ongoing desire to be obedient to the Bible. So we find in 1 John 2:3, 4 "Hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments. He that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him." The word "knoweth" is not intellectual, but is as the intimacy of marriage-a saved person becomes the bride of Christ. The term "truth" is a synonym for the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6). That is why the Lord tells us to "Examine yourselves...", if we are a child of God (born again), not somebody else. There are many false gospels in R+S of Yahoo Answers. I like all the different questions that are asked here because it gives me the opportunity to search the Bible to find an answer. All I try to do is give out the word of God.

Answer 7

I learned a great deal from people with beliefs other than my own. My best friend in Chicago is a converted Muslim (previously Christian), one of my best friends back in Ohio is a Neo-Pagan, and I can include among my acquaintances at least two Hindus, several Buddhists and a large number of practicing jews. Interesting things I have learned:

1) Muslims believe that God wants our obedience and describe themselves as "the slaves of God." Paul uses a Greek version of that same wording in one of his epistles. They may just have a point.
2) The Buddhist view of right-mindedness is not, in any discernable way different from that of Christians
3) Many American Indians believe that Gitchee Manitou, a.k.a. Wonken Tonka (The Cherokee and Sioux names for The Great Spirit) are the same God as was the God of Abraham. Kind'a makes you think, no?

Answer 8

I've sat on this board for months without ever asking a question, and I've seen some real ugliness in people, along with a lot of good.

I've started asking questions that I hope will make people look inside themselves. Maybe they'll question their beliefs, or maybe they won't. That's not up to me to decide, or try to change.

By being here for as long as I have, I've become more firm in my belief that being an open minded liberal atheist is the best choice for me.

I can't speak for anyone else.

Answer 9

I'm here to have fun and challenge people. I like to think my answers hit some sticking points of religion.

I'm here to argue too - I enjoy a good debate. I can't say I've learned much though - a lot of the questions/answers are stereotypical of whatever believer is asking/answering.

I'm also here for entertainment. I get a kick out of seeing how people react to certain hypothetical scenarios.

Answer 10

I am here to get viewpoints and input, and I have gotten both positive and negative reinforcement on a variety of issues from various posters. I have also begun to explore various areas of research as a result of things I've read here