Respectful, serious question for regulars of the Yahoo Answers Religion Section?

Question

Currently, 53 people have answered the below question:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhX0vdULEJtwGZEDTRNTi2jsy6IX?qid=20070201082723AAtr7nP

Not one said anything insulting or mean spirited in their answer.

There is so much diversity, but so much in common also.

I did not record any statistics regarding religion, race, marital status, education level, but in reading every word I noticed a trend,

while 2 or 3 of us might be very similar, the majority are different from everyone else.

But, everyone got along and no one was mean or insulting.

Why?

Was it cause the question was phrased respectful, and kind?

Was it because it was merely a request for information?

Why can't it be so simple with every question and answer in yahoo answers, respectful, without being mean or insulting?

Why can't that happen globally, where people of different races, religions, backgrounds, get along?

Why can't we all get along, like we did in that question?

Answer 1

ah, "Why can't we all just get along?"
"Why can't that happen globally?"

isn't that what Neville Chamberlain asked Hitler?

isn't that what Hillary is asking about Iran and North Korea?

how shortsighted and unrealistic.
there are very evil men with very evil purposes formed against the United States and it's Allies.
it is about time we get our heads out of the sand, don't you think?
asking them to "be nice" only reinforces their belief that we are weak and spineless.
evil men respect only one thing: brute force!
not daisies and platatudes.

Answer 2

Well, when you've been with us a little longer, you will learn that many people visit this site just to spew out hate and venom. Sad but true, and I will probably get a violation notice for telling the truth. Perfectly reasonable and considerate answers are given thumbs down, insults fly. I've even gotten threatening e-mail from some participants.

Why can't we all just get along? Because apparently, we don't want to.

Answer 3

JD, you didn't ask about religion or question it.. you wanted us to introduce ourselves.. that's why it wasn't answered in an insulting manner. Some of us happen to like you here too..

Religion (or lack thereof) is a volatile subject. People have strong views on it.. cultural and diversity awareness is a great idea. Unfortunately, it isn't popular.

I would love it if people could be accepting of others and respectful, but human nature and societal conditioning don't lend themselves to that end.

It was fun to read the answers and get to know people :)

Answer 4

Ahh Jim - look for your answers as they are usually either insightful or funny. It is a shame you could not do this twice as this question already has some insulting and/or mean spirited answers.

I think we cant get along because for everyone who wants to there is someone different who doesn't. Its human nature to be mean and nasty, some people go with the flow and some people fight it tooth and nail. Not everyone is a fighter - fight the good fight Jim

Answer 5

Well some ideologys believe it or not suggest that to believe anything other than that ideology means that everyone else is wrong!

Some ideologies do not leave any room for allowing others to differ in opinion.

For example, some people have been taught to believe that anyone who doesn't do as they do, will go to a place called hell.

How is a person that doesn't believe in God supposed to feel about that?

I am Agnostic though not Atheist.

Answer 6

It's because you asked a personal question.... everybody likes to talk about themselves and for some people that is their favorite subject.

People cant all get along like they did in that question because not all questions are personal... ask a challenging question and people who feel backed into a corner lash out. People dont always get along because people dont always agree and the majority of people cannot agree to disagree... they revert to bullying, insulting etc... Why can't we all get along, like we did in that question? Every animal is vicious when they feel cornered, humans are no exception to that rule and they need not be physically cornered, just intellectually cornered in order to lash out..

Answer 7

Maybe because people like to talk about themselves. It's not controversial, it's familiar. It's not a sign of respect towards each other as much as it is that they were just speaking of themselves. If the question had been one of opinion, the answers would vary because there would be disagreement. But your question wasn't one of opinion. It would be very hard for one of us to argue with someone's self description. It would take true knowledge for any of us to dispute it so we have to take it at face value and respect that they described themselves accurately. Nothing to dispute, question or argue about.

Thanks for this question, though. I hadn't seen the other one so I have now contributed. :o)

Answer 8

Yes, it was probably because the question was well thought out. The meanness comes from, a lack of respect for ideology that is outside of what people want to accept or consider.

Answer 9

The question was phrased respectfully, without trying to imply a criticism of anyone's religious beliefs. It can happen globally, but it is a loooooong way off. But even the longest of journeys begins with a single step.

As-Salamu Alaykum - Peace be upon you.

Answer 10

I think the way you worded the question, it was respectful and we got to know you as a human being, not just words printed on our computers. I think that is important to realize that a person is behind the words and feelings on the screen. Thanks for sharing and your dream of global peace is mine too, but sadly I think it is not going to happen, at least until, according to my belief, until the return of Christ.