Why do provocative religious questions get lots of response, while "thinking" questions get little?

Question

A little hypothesis I've been testing... I'm beginning to conclude that religious questions that invite inflammatory, dogmatic, or "cut-n-paste" responses are answered far more enthusiastically by the theists than those which require reasoning, critical examination of belief systems, or which pose logical contradictions that can't easily be dismissed with dogma.

In fact, it seems the questions that garner the most response are the ones that most obnoxiously challenge the systems of belief which the faithful are supposedly so certain of.

The logical conclusion is that theists feel most threatened by casual "name calling", and "mud slinging", then genuine inquiry, examination and debate, which leads one to inevitably conclude that...

Theists suffer from INSECURITY.

Answer 1

I disagree with you. I believe that it is far more likely that you are more aware of those posts which may be offensive or contrary to your own ideas. This is not uncommon. From my perspective it seems that there are many more silly or even insulting questions by atheist. It is my theory that they attempt to get us ticked off so that if we fire back with a response that is not very Christlike, they can savor the moment.
As far as the insecurity allegation, that may be only partially true. I think if one was to get the average ages of theist and atheist who use Y/A regularly, we would find that most theist are probably much younger. Older ones being in bed early or taking care of the kids, maybe even reading the bible. So it would make sense that some theist may be less secure than some atheist. However if we were to somehow compare equal aged individuals I think the picture would be reversed. One should not confuse humility for insecurity. Nor should we confuse brash vulgarity for stability. It is like the schoolyard bully being the one who is the most frightened. At school he acts like a tough guy. But at home or somewhere in his life he is scared to death. Same thing here. My theory is that the real reason so many atheist come to R&S is because the have a need to be around others who insult christians. They are desperate to find some form of confirmation. Otherwise they would be arguing about whether Fords or Chevys are better or who is going to win the world series/ superbowl/ nba finals, etc. So why are you here if you are so secure? You have opinions about other subjects that differ from other people. There is just as much opportunity for intelligent debate about politics, sports,cooking recipes, or whatever. Why do you come to R&S if it is not to receive some form of confirmation?
Great question by the way. I really prefer the thoughtful ones, even when I disagree with your theories.

Answer 2

Well, before I decided to answer this question, I went to your profile and looked at your last 52 questions in an effort to get a read on your attitudes. My conclusion is, that a large majority of the questions you posed in R&S were of the controversial type and definitely not of the genuine inquiry type. I for sure did not see any indication that you were interested in examination and debate by the tone of your questions. So, being a christian who does not believe in entering into "foolish" debate, I think I shall follow the Holy Bible's warning not to participate in such a debate. I will, however state an opinion. I think you are a psuedo-intellectual who will someday have to stand before God and account for everything you have said or done that was against his laws. I do not feel threatened by you or any other atheist/agnostic poster. My faith in God and his son Jesus Christ is unshakeable. You and others like you cannot undermine the beliefs of those with faith. I have my faith, and you have-----------nothing. I am sorry for you and will pray that you may someday find your way to the peace which passes all understanding. The bible says that when confronted by a non-believer to gently speak the truth and move on. Goodby and may you find the truth you are searching for and the blessings of God be upon you. I move on.

Answer 3

First take into account the volume of questions on this particular section of Yahoo! Answers and that each of us pick and choose the questions. For a thinking question, I might be answering long enough that an entire screen or two might go past. If that happens to me, it's very possible that others are in the same boat.

Secondly, like a lot of people have said. I've seen "sincere" questions by non-Christians that were later used as bait to "prove" their point. Which made me very angry as I felt that I was suckered into a response. After getting burned more than once on this issue, I'm wary about answering questions.

Another issue is that on a night like tonight, It's 1 in the morning and when I'm tired, it's hard to write logically and to think an answer through for a credible answer.

Yes, more than once, in particular, the CPT and Jim Darwin, I have answered credible questions, because I feel they are worthy of dialogue and are not trying to misconstrue what I say.

So, yes, I do sometimes answer questions that are credible, but also realize, after being called ignorant, idiotic, or narrow minded a few 100 times on this board, us "theists" get tired of it and will usually prefer to answer questions that are sincere or people who are willing to respect and to consider our viewpoints.

Answer 4

I am more comfortable and am able to answer "thinking" questions than anything else.
I'm not insecure in my beliefs or faith. Those that do respond to the more controversial or provocative questions do so because it is not always easy to give an answer that is understandable to those who have no faith in God.
If I had more time I would probably answer more questions because I do study the Word. I do have a life and people depend ant upon me and my time is limited. No....that was not insecurity talking.

Answer 5

The average reading level of theists here is about 6th grade. Few are likely to even read or understand this particular question.

The only arguments 80% of them will listen to are emotional appeals, since that's why most of them believe in the first place. The other 20% have the capacity to understand the arguments bu have simply never thought about it before, and tend to shy away from thinking about it out of fear. Half of the 20% can be reached given enough time, the other half will find something else to do rather than challenge their beliefs.

Answer 6

Thank you Captain Obvious.

Your logical conclusion is that someone feels most threatened by name calling rather than by qenuine inquiry?

What part of this surprises you? Most people, whether believers, atheists, agnostics or fuller brush salesmen are going to feel more threatened by name calling or mud-slinging than inquiry, or debate.

Who wouldn't feel that way?

Answer 7

why is it that you always have questions, but you never have answers? Seek and you shall find, you're on a yahoo Q&A web page looking for a fight. look some place where people will match your inellect. after all you wouldn't ask a farmer to anlyze Einsteins theory of reletivity would you? you are only looking for an argument you know you can win. quit making excuses and start looking for answers to your "critical examination" questions and have every belife you evr had completly dismantled.

Answer 8

Thinking questions tend to involve reading more than four lines of text, and also often involve giving answers which are longer and thought-out as well (inviting that wonderful "too long but thanx for the 2 pts" response).

Answer 9

Athiests are the same boat.

your answer is in the famous quote (so famous it was used in Star Trek)
It is easier for a civilized person to act like a barbarian, than a barbarian to act civil.

ONLY 20% OF PEOPLE CAN THINK UP A GOOD ANSWER OR QUESTION - THE REST ARE JUST TROLLS ENJOYING INCITING FIGHTS

Answer 10

Our minds are geared to learn about negative/weird events since this info may one day save us. Survival tactic. Provocative is reproduction related and has to do with survival of our genes.