Do you ever answer questions directed at a group you don't belong to?

Question

Many of the questions in Religion & Spirituality start by addressing them to Chrisitians, or Muslims, or Atheists, or whatever. Do you sometimes answer even when you don't belong to one of those groups? Under what circumstances?

Answer 1

Yes, guilty as charged. And not just in Religion & Spirituality, but in many other categories as well.

I recently answered a question addressed to MLT's (Medical Laboratory Technicians) but know of relevant information by being a Clinical Chemist for 10 years and being married to a woman who was a Medical Technologist for 23 years.

I have been known to answer questions addressed to Single Guys when I thought that being a Guy was more important to asker than being Single.

Closer to what you were expecting as an answer, I often reply to questions in Religion & Spirituality irregardless of to what group a question may be addressed. Perhaps this is rude, but sometimes I see that the answers posted before me might be super biased, technically wrong or just rubber stamping the view of the asker.

If I believe that I can contribute to the question at hand and not just toss out another opinion, I will usually post something.

I do not need to be a practicing Wiccan to understand their point of view. I do not need to be an Atheist or an Agnostic to understand their philosophy (***drink***). I do not need to still be a deacon or an elder in a Christian congregation to understand their beliefs.

I often have access to information that members of such groups might be unaware. Most Christians have never read the written works of Gardner or Crowley. Atheist and Agnostics have probably never taken classes in Biblical Archeology from Loyola University. Some Zen students have never cleared their mind of all thoughts. Some Muslims have no idea about who or what the Sufi are.

For me it is more important to contribute to possible understanding and tolerance between such groups than it is to add to the confusion.

Do I expect to get Best Answer when I do this? No. Most of the time I do not even expect to be understood by the Asker. But perhaps another user might find something in my answer which helps.

Answer 2

Yep. I answers questions based on whether they stir up some response.

Sometimes a lamer wants to state some infantile meaningless nonsense and I put in my two cents.

Every now and then somebody has a cruel innuendo or worse blasphemy to present and that will usually cause me to turn up the volume.

Other times somebody asks something truly relevant and thought provoking so I get involved there too.

Other times I feel I have something to say and just say it.

I don't really think that in a public forum there is any group to which I cannot belong -- it's this trivial 'citizen of the world' kick I've been on for the past few years.

There are consequences for all this activity too. I have received some very interesting flames -- calling me everything except what I am; just a man with a keyboard engaging his brain.

It's okay though ... it's ALL good.

Answer 3

As I already said tonite.

The only times I have has been when it was obvious

a/ the asker has totally missed the point (like assuming any X-ians were Atheists (ignoring others),

b/ been a deliberate troll (so will defend the group being attacked)

or

c/ So biased there had to be an agenda supported by the biased data.

OTOH maybe I've spent to much time studying Methodology before I graduated with a BA.

.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Yes of course. Who defines these imaginary categories or groups anyway? They are not really distinct. We all have different skills, experiences and knowledge, I think it is important to wander round the categories and answer what you want. Different views are not just different they can add a totally separate perspective or another set of ideas entirely. We should not be afraid to share knowledge, to seek new learning, to contribute to groups we are not 'part' of.

There is massive strength in diversity.

Answer 6

Yes I answer questions directed at atheists or agnostics. As far as I know such non-beliefs do not constitute a 'group'.

Although it gets called a 'group' atheism is not a system or a philosophy:

Just as being asexual isn't a sexual position.

Answer 7

Yes, if I have something relevant to say.

And anyway, it would be difficult for me to answer only questions directed at my group, because there would not be too much of those.

I mean: * the group of groupless people* ;)))

PS. It just struck me: I will answer a question directed at any group because there is only one group really, and we are ALL members to it: THE GROUP OF HUMANITY.

Answer 8

I have occasionally, when a question is from christians to christians, and it spreads lies about atheism or agnosticism.

It's interesting to note how many christians address a question to atheists, yet still pick a christian who agrees with them as best answer.

Answer 9

I will answer if I feel like I have valuable input to offer!

Answer 10

Yes , I do.
When it is a provoking question, to state my opinion on the matter.