Tell me, does answering questions confuse or enlighten?

Question

Does the truth shine in the answer or in the question or both or neither?

Answer 1

I found in my experience as a teacher that when I asked a rote question, even if no one answered, I increased my understanding through answering it to the students myself. In fact, I think it did more good for me than for them, although I was really trying to help them! Sometimes you don't know the proper question or answer until you answer a question that may have nothing to do with what you thought you wanted to know. Brainstorming free-association also provides new connections that enlighten, and if I occasionally provide nonsense answers on Yahoo! Answers, then it might just be my verbal attempt to break unseen barriers or change my or others' perception of a question and what it encompasses. I really didn't mean to make my answer as long as it has become. Cheers!

Answer 2

it confuses my initial step towards answering...but by the time i write i am enlightened ;)

On the other hand i think...a question and the answer to it.. both decide about the "truth". both of them are necessary, because answering a question does clear the doubt but a doubt is required for an answer to clear it. that is why...the question is like a medium which asks for the truth..through which an answer supplies the truth...
so i think both.

But if the truth is there...it will eventually shine...on the answer as well as the question and in the eyes of the answerer ;)

(you ask tough questions...It challenges my wits!)
hope i helped even a bit.

Answer 3

It would depend on the mood of the person who is asking and on the qualification of the answerer. The asker has to inquire sincerely and without prejudice to be able to hear what the answerer is saying. And the answerer has to have substantial and bona-fide knowledge in the matter. These two requirements are a must. Imagine if the asker is sincerely seeking the truth and is ready to listen with acceptance, but the answerer doesn't really understand much about the topic. Because he doesn't have knowledge to share, there cannot be enlightment. Or if the opposite happens, and the answerer is very learned and knowledgable in the matter, but the one asking is in a rebellious mood, having already rejected in his mind everything that the other person has to say. In such situation there won't be any enlightment either.

Answer 4

It depends. My goodness there are some rubbishy questions and answers on here! I try to avoid those ones that are just aimed at complaining about something or attacking someone's beliefs. That's why I surf around amongst my contacts (like you and digi, Shafeequah, and Aum) who consistently ask intelligent and enlightening questions.

Answering questions, and reading other people's answers, can be enlightening, provided the answers being given/read are true, lol! Seems like an obvious thing, but truth speaks for itself.... It makes you feel peaceful and loving when you read it.

If everybody listened to their feelings when they were writing something, and only wrote in a spirit of love and peace, then probably that thing which they were writing would be enlightening to themselves and other people.

I always wonder if my answers are enlightening, or if they just sound like someone who has too many opinions! Oh well, it really does work for me. It makes me feel more loving towards people in real life to think about spiritual things in the early morning.

Answer 5

The Truth shines within. The question and the answer is a dance of Consciousness. The questions come from the Source. The answers are found where the questions are formed.

Phil

Answer 6

The percieved truth of the asker (at least on YA) generally shines in the question. Because the questions aren't so much questions as they are sermons. From all sides.

Answering questions neither confuses nor enlightens, but does one of two things:
1) makes you laugh
2) pisses you off

also occasionally irritates when it's the same preachy atheist question about evolution over and over. and this is coming from an atheist who believes in evolution....

Answer 7

I think it depends on the nature of the question. There are questions which only you can answer - like; is there a god? Questions like that only become confused if you ask others. It's all a matter of opinion and perspective.

There are other kinds of questions which can become clearer with the input of others - questions about meaning and purpose. Sometimes another opinion is needed to put these questions into proper perspective; but again, only the person asking the question can really provide the answer.

The only kind of questions where getting the input of others is realy essential is in matters of fact - but even for these, check the source. Fact can be manipulated to serve any purpose.

Ultimately, the best source to answer any question, especially pertaining to religion and/or spirituality, is your own instinct.

Answer 8

~~~cos ,,, At the risk of sounding like a condescending sage, but most seriously, the answer is "All of The Above". One must take into account ALL of The Variables which come into play. If we use The Metaphor of A Child in The Learning Process,,,,Clinical Psych. testing throughout the years has demonstrated a very clear Learning Curve simply based on Chronological Age/Maturity. Simple "Stages of Awareness" must be fulfilled in a Progressive Advancement into Adulthood, etc, etc,,,, or like watching a non-sexual, Adult Themed Film as a child, then watching the same movie as an adult, then one has a Greater Understanding of The Content ,,,,Along this Path to Awareness of Self & Environment one must "Learn/Experience" the difference of Right & Wrong AND just who that is in The Mirror, or why that shadow always follows, Santa Claus, Death, etc, etc, etc, ,,,,Now apply this same metaphor to Soul Growth of The Individual and the Scenario is the same. Through our Level of Intellect, Knowledge and Wisdom we acquire Soul Growth, via our Actions of using Freewill, via The Karmic Lessons of Life(s) as a Human Being. ~ "The path is known to each who finds it." Chinese Proverb ,,,, "Since the meekest mind can ask a question which the wisest Sage cannot answer, then perhaps Wisdom is not found so much in The Answers as it is in Posing The Question." ? I hope the following answer doesn't sound too trite,,,,Ultimately it is in The Eye of The Beholder as we are all at our own respective Levels of Understanding,,,,This is the Original Meaning in the concept of "Thou shall not judge", so to speak, as we cannot "Know for Certain", outside of Psychic Reading, just Exactly Why a person is having "A Problem in Life". Their Karma is Unique to Only Them,,,,,~ Namaste`

Answer 9

On yahoo, I think about 90 per cent of answers of based on opinion the other 10 factual. Ask a practical question demanding a practical answer and normally recieve less than a few answers, and sometimes not even a good one at that.
However ask something boderline offensive or controversial like 'Hitler good or bad guy?' or 'Was Jesus a Fake?' and you will recieve an enitre community of opinionated responses.

In short, confusion is the big dark tunnel with a small flickering light at the end of it called enlightenment.

Answer 10

Who's truth are we talking about?

Maybe my truth shines in your question, yet gets a little hazy in my answer. While your truth shines in my answer, but was a little hazy in your question...

Maybe the truth just is... Maybe the truth just isn't...

Then, what about the differing variences in the qualities of truth? Are there any? Is there only one? Are there none?

And furthermore... Who says that any of us even have the ability/qualifications/etc to speak about truth in the first place; regardless of it being in question/answer format?

Is the light in the truth, or is the truth in the light? Both? Neither?

Where does the truth shine now? ;-)