why do people on this forum (ONLY r&s in my experience) give thumbs down to the FACTS?

Question

I have recently been receiving thumbs down on responses that I give that are merely historical facts about things and nothing more, or the dictionary definition of something with the facts to it, so why are people giving it thumbs down?

I don't take it personally, it's just that I think it shows a lot of people on here are close minded because even the FACTS get a thumbs down!

PBUM: see my answer to http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuzU6eImKQ3h283lgVdW0.Hsy6IX?qid=20061206145843AAEyCeW&show=7#profile-info-d9d73f2f3c31aa6da022c0d7c651c0efaa ... I simply cut and pasted from religioustolerance.org, which gives an encylopedia definiton of "speaking in tongues"

Answer 1

Obviously petty minded people don't want to know about facts-they're too immersed in their own dogma.

Answer 2

Well, it's part of the system. A thumbs down minimizes the answer that was not agreed to, so that the asker can eliminate the size of the responses. I'm sure that you noticed that, but that does not explain it all, does it? ( ;

If you gave a definition as an answer that was in line with the question, and you got a thumbs down, I would (without being prejudgemental), look at what happened and attempt to discover several issues:
1) Was the definition in context of the question?

2) Was the asker being trollish? That is: Does the judgement occur because of an unwillingness to accept an answer that defeated the case that the asker was attempting to present?

The truth is that many of the questions are attempt to provoke. When that occurs, there is emotion behind the question, it is baited.

So it sounds like you got caught in the crossfire my friend. But don't take it to heart. There are many people that respond that are telling us more about themselves, than the issue at hand!

Answer 3

I take a "thumbs down" vote as meaning "I'm on the right track". People do not like the truth, which, by nature, is a very specific and narrow thing.

When you answer with the truth, and get a "thumbs down" - wear it as a badge of honor!

Answer 4

Some people don't like facts, for one of two reasons:
1. Those facts go against what they believe to be true.
2. They're so wrapped up in winning best answer, that they'll thumbs-down EVERY other answer, right or wrong.

That's been my experience as well.

Answer 5

Yea, I was banned time and time again for bringing up logical and extensive situational thinking to those of extreme faith. The more i stumped them and made them 'think', the more thumbs down I received and the quicker I was 'suspended'. So don't take it as an insult, take it as a compliment =)

Answer 6

It's often easier to deny facts than question your own beliefs.

This isn't only with religion. Any beliefs that have been so closely tied to your own self-identity, almost anything is better than admitting your wrong, because that admission would be self-perceived as a denial of themselves.

Sad, but quite true.

Answer 7

They're idiots. They are the type of person who never lets the facts get in the way of their opinion.

Answer 8

because 9 times out of 10, faith overrides facts. People with devout faith, regardless of which religion, do not want to hear (or read) anything that questions or doubts their faith. I think its the "extreme" part of religious extremists. Crazy, if you ask me.

Answer 9

The thumbs down don't really matter. Don't take it personally.

Answer 10

every one gets them in this section. Its a reflection of their opposing view or a lack of better answer. Don't take it personal. We all get them.