Would you think it OK for someone to answer a question about religion...?

Question

if the religion the question is asking about is not their own?

For example, I've studied church history extensively. I find it fascinating, and I consider myself reasonably well-informed on the subject--it was the concentration of my bachelor's in history.

However, I'm not a Christian. If someone is asking a factual question about church history, for example about the origin of a doctrine and I know the answer is Pelagius, would it be acceptable for me to answer? I don't add "but it's all garbage" to the end of the answer--I just try to answer the question as factually as possible based on my studies.

frank: Why would my beliefs have an impact on the answer to a question such as what I've presented? Not attacking you, by the way...the "why" of this is just something I'd like explained.

Answer 1

Of course it's okay. Unless the asker specifically says they only want answers from Christians, in which case they don't deserve your expertise.

Answer 2

You are absolutely fine in answering a factual history based question on religion or a church's' history. Try not to get into the idiosyncratic beliefs of people, that's when we open up a can of worms that we can't close.

I myself love to study those topics as well as ancient history and cultures.

Answer 3

Screw the religious aspect.

Personally, I'd prefer a well conceived, written, punctuated and thought out answer from anyone than a rote learnt bible verse or wikipedia copy and paste.

I mean, I try and answer from personal experience/belief/study and if they ask for a reference I'll give it.

Those who exclude the majority deserve all they get.

-ON THAT NOTE- I will admit, more than once i've asked for specific archetypes point of veiw, but usually I give kudos to those who after seeing the exclusion still answer with a new point of veiw.

But the biggest question is, why is a fellow chaote complaining about it? *winks and grin cheekily*

Answer 4

I would accept an answer from you. As a matter of fact I have seen and thought about all your answers and I thin for the most part they are not bias, that is why I tend to think that well informed agnostics and pagans, sometimes make good points. It takes seeing stuff from a different angle to understand. I studied Islam as an outsider for many years and BOY WAS I WRONG. SO many misconceptions :) NOT EVEN FUNNY!

Answer 5

A hypocrite is someone who claims to believe in something he
doesn't really believe in. And most people are hypocrites by proxy. Not on purpose, but because they just don't take the time to discover what they are supposed to believe.
That's why there is so much argument. And they don't realize they are condemning things their own belief teaches.
As long a what you want to offer is not "just" facts, and you feel you have some insight to add as well. We could use some clarity here.

Answer 6

I think people like yourself should weigh in more than those who are zealots, because that way you are far more likely to get a factual answer than someone who is perhaps a Christian but not as learned or well read as you.

Answer 7

Yes, its definitely acceptable. Anyone who has studied the subject and is well informed should be consulted long before someone who simply "feels" a certain way or regurgitates something they heard from their preacher/rabbi/imam etc.

Answer 8

Of course your answer would be fine.

Besides, it's nice to know that there are others out there who do not feel the need to really insult either side.

Facts are good. Facts without insults are even better.

Answer 9

why not if an answer is known. who cares what a person's background is in regards to religion, politics, gender etc. as long as the answer is reasonable and accurate in the answerer's opinion

Answer 10

Yes we are all here to share our knowledge. I appreciate someone who has studied giving me a well informed answer.