Why is it that when I ask the same, perfectly civil, non-bashing question of two groups, one group gets it?

Question

and the other group just freaks out and cries "intolerance"?

Gets it:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Au4K79rJjXLgltsgtVclOEPsy6IX?qid=20070619151005AA9FPeo

Kinda cranky about it, really:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AoL491CTY1qGgbmByRXE8wXsy6IX?qid=20070619151853AAtsrrX

You know, the questions were not meant as some sort of expose, but I just wanted to know. It started when someone posted a poem, and said "Atheists, don't bother, it's about God." I'm perfectly capable of appreciating poetry about God, even if I don't agree with it.

Answer 1

I'm sorry, but I don't see your point.

I read both questions and their responses and the majority of respondents on both seem to be courteous and supportive.

Specifically, nobody seems to suspect intolerance.

The only difference I can decipher is that the latter group seems to claim greater care with their consumption of profanity, vice, etc.

Answer 2

I think the difference is due, at least in part, to the stigma some Christians place on secular media.

I remember as a teen, some visiting preacher explaining the evils of heavy metal music to my parents. He was all into playing music backward (who does that?) and what the messages were. He was perfectly serious, and he implied that teens couldn't be Christian and listen to such music.

I still love a good Van Halen song (DLR, preferably). I think I've lamented my love of "Running with the Devil" before. It's not a sentiment I agree with, but the song is infectious.

There are probably some folks I go to church with now who would raise an eyebrow at my CD collection.

That's where the freaking out and defensiveness comes from - within, primarily.

I'm guessing atheists don't tell each other the dangers of Bach when perusing each others' CD collections?

I wonder what happens when you play Bach backward?

Answer 3

Yeah, I see your point about the comparison between the two ~ the atheists sound way more tolerant, lol, BUT some of the answers from some of the Christians are really good too

Granny of Five sounds like a terrific person, for instance, and some of the others are obviously people of culture and intelligence.

Maybe the others just fel a little 'pressured'? I'm not sure otherwise why they would be so condemnatory 'off the handle' so to speak.

Anyway, an interesting original question!

Best wishes :-)

Answer 4

Actually, I noticed about an even match. At least one Atheist really freaked out and at least one Christian freaked out. Most answered very civilly.

I thought the idea of asking 2 questions was a very good contrast.

As a non-Christian Theist, I was not sure which one to answer with... Should I cry "intolerance"? ;)

ADD: I found the internal splits much more interesting.
About half the Christians were conservative but open about what they listen to, and about half had tastes so secular that they found the question rather simple.
For the Atheists, there were many that only liked religious media of the type that they like (ie classic religious music but not modern), and some who liked to seek out and learn about many different religions and how they express themselves.

Answer 5

I agree. some communities think of that till they get extra desirable rights, they are being picked on. they choose extra. to illustrate, the illegals have no rights because of the fact that they are actually not voters yet they call for rights. Affirmative action demands rights for minorities however the rights of others are then trampled. Marriage is a privilege, not a top. you may obey the guidelines to get a marriage license. because of the fact that gays do not fulfill the criminal "standards" they don't seem to be waiting to get married. Sorry yet this is the regulation. in spite of the shown fact that, their rights are actually not trambled because of the fact they have lots of an identical rights as married couples. they only won't be able to call it marriage. AND, in CA whilst the 2007 tax returns are filed, registered family participants companions can report jointly! (nonetheless single for the IRS.) famous person for a stable question!

Answer 6

People get cranked and also I think some people go around and just thumbs down people's answers. I gave some perfectly reasonable answers to some people's questions. Even if someone doesn't like my answer, at least I answer truthfully, to my best of knowledge. I never would steer someone wrong~especially on purpose!

EDIT: You did have a question too didn't ya?? lol
I love all the religious status and stain glass windows in churches. I think some of the art they have in the Catholic churches can be so beautiful!

Answer 7

I remember seeing the question you posed to atheists. (I almost answered but felt excluded as an agnostic. xD Yeah, I know, need tougher skin.)

Some of answers for the question posed to Christians were rather snappy. I mean, they nipped a bit, eh? It may seem a little silly to think that Christians wouldn't be able to enjoy secular media, but Christians have been known to do and say extraordinarily stupid things, things so ridiculous many think them to be jokes at first...

It might just have to do with the specific persons that represent the two groups on this 'forum'. Perhaps you'd get different results elsewhere is what I mean.

Answer 8

I'm not exactly sure why anyone would over-react to either question...
I guess it depends on how much criticism you've had to endure from other people about your taste in art, or music...
Or maybe how much criticism you've been subject to based on your belief system.
Certainly there ought to be some meeting ground where Christians and other theists, and atheists, can get along.
Tell ya what, Bettie...you keep hoping to find that meeting ground
And I'll keep praying that we can learn to get along.
And may God bless you, whether you believe in Him or not.
(I also accept the non-blessings of Atheos, and the noodly appendage...as long as it is drenched in Prego...)

Answer 9

Some of them are aware of your beliefs and assume everything that you ask must be written to insult them, some are just plain intolerant, some probably have no idea what the word "secular" means, and some just like to look stupid. I did notice that many of them were content with just saying "yes" to your question though. Good for them; that's the type of person I like having as a friend.

By the way, I am now going to answer your other question since I now know about it.

Answer 10

Are you serious? The answers are very similar. Most everyone says yes to both questions. I'm actually surprised that the response was so balanced. You must be reading into it what you were already there to find.