Seriously I have to honestly say that out of all the other categories on Yahoo Answers, the Religion & Spirituality category displays the highest number of hateful, ignorant, narrow-minded questions and answers of any subject. Why can't people accept everyones different beliefs and try to share knowledge and learn through mature intellectual discussion? Everyone seems to be constantly attacking each other and generally saying rude, ignorant and hateful things about one another.... Athiests attacking Christians, Christians attacking athiests... and every kind of religion and spirituality attacking each other. People are even attacking evolutionary biology or using it to try and disprove religious beliefs... what proof is there that a God didn't create evolution? and where do people think that the theory of evolution tries to disprove the existence of God/s etc??? Evolution has nothing to do with religion OR spirituality, it is science.... Why are people so hateful here??
2006-10-01 15:48:52 · 14 answers · asked by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
4gvn_snr, I understand what you are saying. But what I am saying is that it doesn't matter whether or not someone is right or wrong, everyone is entitled to thier personal beliefs. If you believed the Earth was flat, and I believed it to be round it would not be narrow minded to say one or the other is wrong and then provide proof and factual evidence to support the claim. It becomes narrow-minded when one cannot accept the valid arguments of another and instead attacks the individual who holds that belief personally. One does not learn that way, if you open your mind to BOTH possibilities, accept the others arguments and respond with your own.. an intellectual debate can be stimulated in which both parties can come to a greater understanding than before. When you close your mind to possibilities then you are narrow-minded, I may not believe in the existence of god but I believe in the possibility of his existence and accept that others believe.
2006-10-01 16:47:11 · update #1
I think it has something to do with the necessity of faith in religion and/or the lack thereof. If you have to believe in order to serve, it is difficult to listen to and accept other opinions... it feels like a personal attack. It's even possible that your observation is based on a belief of your own... though it does seem to be supported by the evidence, in writing. I think it's the nature of the beast. We believe strongly and when there is little evidence to support the belief, there is fear that the belief/faith will fail. Only people who feel they need no more "evidence" are willing to explore and discuss opinions for educational value. It's like, belief is not tangible. You have to hold onto it by faith. If that faith has no maturity, it's unstable and must be defended, even if childlessly so.
2006-10-01 15:59:22 · answer #1 · answered by reformed 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. I went through a stent about 2 weeks ago where I asked a bunch of questions in this category. A few people where helpful, but many were mean, hateful, judgemental, etc. I was really struggling with some questions about religion and so I asked about them on here (Is religion just a means to cope with fear?, Why are religious people so judgemental when the bible says they shouldn't judge, and similar type questions). I truly was looking for answers. How could I believe when I had such questions and I just wanted to see what peoples explanations were. Again, some people were helpful, but I had other people that were mean and told me that if I was going to ask questions like that, that I shouldn't even be on this site. I also agree with what your talking about with science and religion. I, like you, believe there is a way they can coexist.
I was lutheran a few weeks ago, but I'm strongly considering switching to the Unitarian church because it allows for independent thought and doesn't tell you how to think (there is no creed you must subsribe to). For instance, one big issue is that my state has an amendment on the upcoming ballot to prevent stem cell research. I am strongly opposed to banning stem cell research. My church is handing out literature saying a christian can't support stem cell research. I don't understand why my church makes such strong statements. Obviously, the bible did not directly address stem cell research and therefore any opinion the church forms is just that, an opinion, since they are not God (although they seem to want to play God). I don't mind guidance but I don't like being told how to think and that if I think differently that I'm wrong.
Look into it if you're interested. And I hope you have a little luck getting at least a few reasonably helpful answers amongst the sea of ones given by people incapable of independent thinking (which I truly believe most people are not capable of).
2006-10-01 22:59:03 · answer #2 · answered by Poppies_rule 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I want to answer your question seriously, honestly, and caringly. There is no room in the Christian's life for hatred and it makes me very sad to see so many mean-spirited responses from professing Christians. There are a couple reasons for this that I would offer you. 1. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is truly born-again. 2. Even born-again Christians sin and say and do stupid, sinful, mean-spirited things. Being a Christian doesn't make you perfect, I can assure you! You also comment on narrow-mindedness and call for an acceptance of others different beliefs. Are you suggesting all beliefs are equally true? How can this be so? If I believe the world is round and travels around the sun and you believe the world is flat and the sun travels around it, one of us has to be wrong. Would that make me narrow minded if I thought you were wrong?
2006-10-01 23:11:08 · answer #3 · answered by 4gvn_snr 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any time you have a community where there are no restrictions on entry and participation, you are opening yourself up to thoughts, views, rants & diatrabs from those who have dark hearts and souls.
The sad fact of life is that racism, hatred & xenophobia have always existed in some shape and form since the beginning of man.
From the earliest throws of ancient civilization, the human form has evolved, but the human spirit has not. We still fear the differences that we percieve to seperate us instead of embracing our similarities.
Whether it is facebook, myspace, an AOL chatroom, or any cyber community, we are going to be exposed to thoughts we don't agree with. It comes with the territory.
In a perfect world, they would just slither to their own hate filled, narrow minded corner of the cyberworld, but that's not a reality.
I say, just go about our time here as if they are invisible, ignore them & all will be good!
Concentrate on the happy, free thinking, stimulating, creative people that make the majority of the cyber inhabitants!
Peace!
2006-10-02 01:15:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't be amazed that you encounter more of that here. It's simply rooted in spiritual opposition....where there's truth, there's opposition.
I especially don't like to see Christians getting angry or offended, because the "wrath of man will never produce the righteousness of God". Even though they believe they're defending the gospel, they actually lose witness from the very first swing when all they exhibit is anger or arrogance.
You find alot of atheists because there really is no such thing as an atheist. In Romans, Paul wrote that every man has an intuitive knowledge of God and His Divine nature, through creation and the inner knowing He's given them. Therefore anyone who denies His truth has no excuse, but is completely accountable.
The battle from the atheist's corner is simply the struggle between their head - which wants to believe that God isn't - and their heart, which convicts them that He is. The more they protest, the more they confirm His truth to me.
I understand your frustration, but don't let the battles between others stop you from pursuing Him. "Even though every man were found a liar, God is true...."
In Christ - Julie
2006-10-01 23:55:14 · answer #5 · answered by CassandraM 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A good question, Kelly. I read many posts with dismay as people spout hate toward Jews, Catholics, Muslims, and others out of ignorance. I have very strong religious convictions myself, but I would never judge anyone, or tell them to convert to my religion or they will face the wrath of God. Yet I see this time and time again on this board. Oh well, such is the human condition. Thank you for your attempt at civility.
2006-10-01 22:56:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Personally im just trying to share knowledge concerning religion in the religion category. I dont see much wrong with it.
I dont 'attack' christians. I ask questions concerning their doctorines which are designed to be delibrartly challenging. After all this is the right category for it.
2006-10-02 02:26:46 · answer #7 · answered by CJunk 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because of the uncertainty and the lack of solid information.
Also due to the lack of faith of many people.
2006-10-01 22:52:41 · answer #8 · answered by harsh_bkk 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Wink is as Good as a Nod to a Blind Horse.
2006-10-01 22:55:56 · answer #9 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Christianity: The religion that loves to hate.
2006-10-01 22:51:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋