People hanging out at this forum just to insult others' beliefs?

Question

Isn't there someplace else these people can go to shoot their mouths off about how stupid and ignorant believers in general and Christians specifically are? I'd think this was a place to discuss our views on faith WITHOUT being attacked for having some. To hostile athiests/agnostics: don't you have something better to do? Honestly!

Fireball- I like to wink. Was the question not straightforward enough?

Hey, I have no problem with a good debate. But why come to a religion forum and trash religion? It's an honest enough question. I think.

Aqua- Believing that one's own religion is the only true religion and only true way to everlasting life is not, by far, unique to Christianity. Why should you be offended by the fact that I actually believe what my Holy Scripture teaches? Do you not actually believe what your religion teaches? If not, why bother?

Answer 1

I am sure that this is literally untrue. Not everyone who posts here is a hate-monger. Figuratively, it may appear this way, especially in this type of unmoderated forum where all sorts of persons are free to hide behind anonymity and act out.

I have taken a position that if a question is explicitly targeting "atheists", "non-believers" or something similar, that I will not answer (but may read for my own edification) the question since I obviously do not fit these labels.

Likewise, if a question is labeled "believers", "theists", “Muslims”, “Jehovah’s Witnesses”, etc., it would be polite if persons not fitting the question’s label would not respond. Persons that do so seem to me to be very desperate for attention or the paltry two points. I also ignore questions that obviously violate the new community guidelines posted at http://answers.yahoo.com/info/community_guidelines.php, and especially those that are vulgar, hate-mongering, vapid preaching, or are just chatty.

So it seems to me, outside of responding to questions that fit one’s identity, only if a question is non-specific as to some target population should responses be expected from “any and all” persons.

We all learned this behavior in kindergarten but seem to have forgotten how to play nice with one another. We were taught to not speak unless spoken to, answer the question asked, and be polite. Yet, even when a question is marked unequivocally for, say, “Pro-Choice Women”, you will find males posting answers. Apparently some have never learned, as George Elliot noted, "Blessed is the person who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us worthy evidence of the fact."

Yet why is it that when some are older they feel they can reject all semblances of politeness hiding behind anonymity, or shallow and strained arguments for free speech, “I’m just having fun”, etc? In truth, these are not really the salient issues, but only excuses for bad behavior.

What enables these forums? The answer should be clear--it is the question posed. The questioner is the driving force in these forums and should be able to designate a specific population for the responses they are seeking. For if there are no questions, there is no reason for a Q&A type of forum. Thus, the focus for any of my responses is on what the asker may think of my answer. If the asker doesn’t like my answer I usually hear about it and learn from them. Nevertheless, I try to write cogent responses in hopes they are useful to others who may take the time to read them.

I create my answers from an academic theologian’s perspective, as this is my “day job”. Yes, my answers are often wordy; to honor the questioner with enough details to help them learn more. I believe that what a person sets into writing is a greater act of consciousness than what a person speaks from their mouths. So, when a person writes some of the vitriol that we see in this Forum, especially from self-professed believers, this person is demonstrating the real nature of the state of their faith to others. In short, some may know the Word of the Lord, but they demonstrate by their actions that they do not know the Lord of the Word.

If we respect the sincere questioner’s desires for specificity (if any), adhere to the community guidelines, and remember what we learned when we were six years old, spending time in this forum will be worth our precious time.

Answer 2

To many generalizations! I have found most Atheists/Agnostics far less insulting than most Christians. I have also found that the insults seem to increase once children get home from school! And there are a few whom I believe spend all day lurking to see who they can insult or try to degrade next. Generally a specific Christian or 2 who seem to think they know all about paganism and Wicca. Who like nothing better than telling people they are Satan worshipers when they are so close minded that they actually know NOTHING about anything other than what they learned in church.
I will never insult another persons religion or belief, but people are another matter.
I enjoy sharing my beliefs with those who honestly ask questions about witchcraft/paganism. If someone can't contribute to the question in a positive manner they should not answer. I could just as easily address questions about Christianity with insults and condemnation but I won't. Well, unless it is a question by one particular lurker who really ticks me off.

Answer 3

I've tried to address this previously by asking atheists on this forum to give some examples of how religion gets in the way of *their* lives.

They provided some interesting example. In that context, here's the deal: when religions start leaving *us* alone - stop censoring our entertainment; keeping us out of public office; campaigning to get various things we like banned; taking tax money and breaks to fund your expensive fantasies; persecuting those who proclivities you disapprove of, and a host of other irritations, including your endless holy wars - THEN maybe we'll feel better disposed to leaving you all alone.

As it is, there's a vast, untapped well of peeve out there, and sometimes it leaks.

CD

Answer 4

I agree...but on the other hand it gives us a chance to brush up on our faith and be able to counter ignorant attacks intelligently.

Everyone has a right to their beliefs and comments so we should know our faith and be able to defend it rather than make ourselves look foolish too. Knowledge Is Power.

Count yourself among good company. Look at how people attacked Jesus when He walked around teaching. Read about the "debates" over Christianity when Paul was attacked by non-Christians. The list of persecuted Christians defending the faith is long and distinguished.

Answer 5

The Jews have been stiffnecked in the OT (sorry I keep forgetting what you call the full sequence from Genesis to Malachi) - each and every prophet accused them of that. Now they have unquestionably gotten to the element the place they suspect their faith and are prepared to persist with their God. i might say they are very humble. unquestionably i might say that the final public of Christianity is stiff-necked. They carry near to their gospel with their tongues yet their hearts and strikes are some distance from it. possibly in the event that they had long gone by using as a lot tribulation because of the fact the Jews have they might take excitement in it a sprint greater.

Answer 6

It is pretty sad to see these people with no life insulting others. I too have been insulted on this forum, but what can you do about it, right? The most you can do is report them for the offensive language, and move on in life! Take care :)

Answer 7

Someone mentioned "christian only" chatrooms. Don't exist. I've been to the christian chat rooms on yahoo and other places, and the people on there are always being harassed by others.

Answer 8

I agree. Let people be in their beliefs. I think it is great to believe in something bigger than you are. It is what good society's are based on. Growing up I was afraid to do somethig wrong because I knew there would be a punishment. This is a good thing, we want our children to make good decisions that don't hurt others.

Answer 9

It's far easier to cultivate a calmer mind and when you've accomplished that, there are no more "buttons" for people to push... that takes subduing the ego and cultivating wisdom and understanding, hence compassion, for others who do not think like you do, but you'll no longer feel the need to try to shut anybody up, when you don't like their speech.

_()_

Answer 10

Are you serious? It's the Christians who come here with nothing to contribute, not the atheists. If the atheists left, this forum would be nothing but a sewer.

If you have nothing better to do than insult, lie, and whine, go away.