Simple Question of Theory Here.?

Question

I've seen a few people already post questions or remarks asking why non-Christians are allowed to post here in Yahoo Answers. So far my answers have been simple. "Because this is a forum open to the public, which means it is open to anyone from any religious path." Personally I like being able to see some of the discussions that go on between the non-Christians and the Christians. True we get a lot of bickering and fighting and childish comments thrown in once in a while. But the true beauty of life is being able to be free to be different from once another, and have those differences in opinion. Anyways, what I should get to before I run out of typing space here is... Do you feel Yahoo Answers should support only one religion? Do you feel that maybe Wiccans and Atheist and Druids have no right to be posting on here? Or Do you feel that this should be a forum open to anyone, like it currently is? That anyone from any faith background should be allowed on and able to share ideas?

And no, I'm not asking this to be a bigot or anything, just seeing who supports the mixing of the religions here, or who would rather see Yahoo divide the Religion section into seperate areas, one for each religious path.

Answer 1

I think all should be able to share but everyone needs to be more respectful towards others.

Answer 2

The problem lies in the fact that this is the "Religion & Spirituality" section, not the "Christianity" or "Islam" or even "Theism" section. And even if it WAS the Christianity section, anyone would still be allowed to come in here and voice their opinions about Christianity, whether incredibly positive or incredibly negative. You don't have to approve of the topic of the section in order to have an opinion about it; and I agree, the non-Christians have just as much to add.

You're allowed to go into the Baseball section and talk about how much you hate baseball. You're allowed to go into the Celebrities section and talk about how much you hate celebrities. As long as you have an opinion, you can post wherever you want. I don't understand why so many people disagree with that.

One final note: The "spirituality" part of the title of this section implies that someone could theoretically come in here to ask a question about meditation or other topics like that. The discussion here isn't just limited to the Bible, nor should it be.

Edit: I'll add one more thing. (I'll address this to Christians since it seems to be mostly them that want "unbelievers" out of here.) If you guys seriously have such a problem with atheists and agnostics having a say in this place, then you'd probably be better off at one of the many forums and message boards out there where no one BUT Christians are allowed to speak. I'm not saying I don't want you guys here; that's not it at all. But this is an open forum, and non-Christians are allowed to speak freely here. That's not the case at many other sites, and you should probably find one of them if you want a Christian-only environment. But it's up to you.

Answer 3

For the christian who said that all the atheists are spreading hate: You are doing exactly the opposite of what your religion preaches. Love. That is a very hateful, and might I add, stereotypical statement. Who are you to say that about a group of people? We are all individuals. I agree with those who said that if you want to speak with a group of people who specifically agree with what you have to say then find another online community because this is an OPEN FORUM. Anyone and everyone is allowed to state what they want. Those who disagree keep complaining of those who oppose them yet they keep coming back and answering others' questions whom they don't agree with! You are feeding your own aggrevation. You know, you don't have to post a response if you don't agree with what is said. Besides, you know there are chances of you getting a thumbs down which will further tick you off. It is not that hard to ignore questions. Reporting them because you don't agree with them is ignorant on your part also. This goes for ALL, not just christians. I agree, some people can be extremely crass and vulgar but like others have said, they wont get far if you just ignore the question and don't answer. If more people would do this then those who offend to get a rise out of people would get bored and fade away.

Answer 4

Religious segregation is tantamount to the perpetration of "Ethnic Cleansing." The exclusive nature of it is a fertile breeding ground for supremacist thinking. Consequently...

I believe it is far healthier to have people from all religious and non religious walks of life free access to this forum. Yes, it can get pretty ugly here at times but the opposite forces of "beauty" and "ugliness" is a more truthful reflection of the world we inhabit. Through this, we are all afforded the opportunity to witness the other person's point of view and draw our own conclusions. So...

At worst, it's a negative, hurtful, and hate-full free-for-all.

At best, it's an open door to various beliefs and thinking processes. It can enable many to learn something new and valuable.

I vote to keep this place just the way it is!

Answer 5

If they divided up the different religions and the christians played with the christians and the muslims played with the muslims and the athiests played with the athiests, then a forum is useless. If you put all of the people who agree together and prohibit them from posting their arguments on questions from people of other beliefs then what is gained. What use is it to ask a question to someone in your group who already shares all the same beliefs as you? You are basically talking to yourself. People should not insulate theirselves from hearing questions or answers they do not like. Join in on it. Add your 2 cents worth. Make the forum worthwhile.

Answer 6

I like the way it is set up now. If anything, they could split up the "religion and spirituality" section to all major religions. On the other hand, they'd inevitably piss off the people whose religions were not listed. It would also cause more of a stir because people would go into the sections they didn't belong just to cause trouble. There's no way to stop that. Are you going to claim that I'm not a Christian/Atheist/Muslim/etc over the internet? What if I am and just strongly disagree with other Christians/Atheists/Muslims/etc? It makes more sense to leave it the way it is.

Answer 7

Of course it should be open. Not only is this America where there is religious freedom, it also the Internet where Christians don't represent more than half of people. I am a Catholic, and it would be a shame if other faiths couldn't provide insight and argument to all topics on this board. That;s what makes it so fun and enlightening.

Answer 8

I think it's great that everyone can use this forum. But I think there should be some sort of regulations regarding the cutting comments.

No one needs to throw insults. Mature adults can hold intelligent conversations without insulting one another, but that would only be consistent for those with an above child level intelligence.

Answer 9

I think its great that all different views are here, and that we can all have (for the most par) mature intelligent conversations. However, it does bring upon hatred, and stupidity, and stupid questions that are purposly sarcastic. Those I try to just pass over, becuase I know that I will never win if I fight everyone. So I guess yes, I think that this place should stay open to everyone, its a great place to minister to people, and for people to be honest and open about real questions that they have, and hopefully get them answered and have a better understanding.

Answer 10

Open forum.
I go onto the Fix the Car section and ask questions, and I'm not a Mechanic!
This is America!
Land of the Free.
If any Group wants their own Answer Section, why not? But it Should still be Open to all.
Shouldn't it?

Answer 11

yes I believe that there should be separate headings for Atheists and others of new age beliefs and one for Christianity.
the argument is always very pc that everyone has the right to free speech,but I would contest this by saying that when free speech degenerates into verbal name calling and slanderous comments then it is not free speech at all.
Atheists and others have nothing in common with Christian dogma so why the imput?
Christians are not going to convert these people on Q&A so leave it be.
it seems that there will be no calming order until Yahoo sorts this out, and at present they are the ones at fault here.
the forum at present is being flooded with embittered comments that do not qualify as bone fide questions at all, and again Yahoo needs to sort this mess out, if not I fear that the whole forum will explode and be no more.