Are there more than a couple people in the Religion & Spirituality section genuinely curious or wondering?

Question

What is with the generalizations and stereotypes? Do people come on here to learn or to judge and ridicule? Why does it seem that this section in particular engenders such mean- spiritedness? Do people ever get tired of all the sniping? Is it time for me to go back to the home maintenance section? Anybody want to go for a beer?

Thanks for the thoughtful answers. You have restored my faith in intelligent discours. It's 5 by me, so lets go share pint, and a shirley temple for Moxie:)

Answer 1

Hey, the beer sounds good - except I'm a little under the weather. Rain check?

While it can get depressing sorting through all the mean, "aren't I clever," juvenile, narrow- or close-minded and otherwise unsavory stuff that flies around R&S, in truth there really are some wonderful, thoughtful, curious, open-minded and loving people here. It takes time, but connect to them as you find them, become their friends, look for good questions and discussions that they have starred, and soon you'll have a good network of friends.

Answer 2

First of all, I would love to have a beer with you. I only drink when I play chess though so perhaps we could have a game or two as well.

I have discussed many things with many people of all religions and beliefs (including politics) both online and here in the 'real' world. Offline, my friends and associates and I are very civil, usually. Of course sometimes I or somebody else gets impassioned about a certain topic (such as immigration, for example) but as we listen to one another and examine each others points we begin to re-evaluate beliefs and ideas. Questions are tossed around and we mull over possibilities and then somebody wants to play another game of chess or buy a round of drinks, all except for the only atheist currently in our circle, Dave; he doesn't drink. It's kinda like the Breakfast Club , only at night with adults.

On here, it's quite different for some people. There are a hand full of trouble makers who take full advantage of the annonimity of the internet and just start bashing. I have addressed some of them, sometimes not with the best of attitude because after 30 years of studying Scriptures and 44 years of life, I do know something and have something to say. To have a perfectly sound answer disregarded is insulting, but for the trouble-makers, that is the intent, to insult and to do so by twisting something up and turning it into a question that they assume the answer for (Socratic method) so that no other answer will do.

Openminded exchanges of ideas is a wonderful thing. I will check to see if I am guilty of 'sniping' myself. I have been known to be a smart (you-know-what) on more than one occasion but I tend to listen to good points.

I prefer dark beer.

Answer 3

Be the change you want to see in Yahoo Answers!
(Hehe... Quote stolen from Ghandi... and edited)

In all seriousness, My only comment is that people are only rude and mean-spirited when you call them out, and view them as rude and mean-spirited.

Try looking deeper into the words of each person; figure out why they may have said what they said, and even how the words can be reflected into your own life (even if only to come to the understanding that the words are not you in the least bit... Many times you will find that you -can- learn something from them.) ;-)

This can sometimes be a hard thing to grasp and do, but when done properly, people start to take on a whole new persona; where at first individuals may seem rude and mean-spirited, afterwards they seem to be merely grasping onto the truth in which they hold deep down inside.

The spirit of Light should be able to pierce into these truths, and bring about the light within others, merely by shining your own. ;-)

Peace and Love

Answer 4

If you think this section is bad, try going to the culture and groups section...nothing but racist trolls in there. However, you are right, but that's just the nature of some people. You can bring it up a thousand times and people will still do it. You just have to learn to deal with it.

*Virgin Drink*

Answer 5

I've learned that people have varying opinions and that I can ignore the ones I don't agree with. I would go for a beer and not worry about it.

Answer 6

It is a shame that religion is so judgemental of each other. I am on here to learn and to share knowledge, I believe judging others will push us further from father. Thank you for your question.

Answer 7

And why do people keep asking this when its obvious?

Its religion. There are only two things in the world guaranteed to cause a fight. Politics and religion. You're in the religion section, what else did you expect?

Answer 8

i get on here to spread God's word. as a Christian its my job to help spread the Word. yes, i get tired of everyone thinking Christians are all the same, but im trying to help those. and while i'm on here, im learning. i read what other Christians say and get a little bit of God's word from them. i also learn what kind of questions athiests might ask and i can go into my faith or into my Bible and help myself grow.

Answer 9

I'm up for the beer.

Answer 10

i'm in for the beer...