Christians, why do you do this?

Question

You ask me why I don't beleive in God, then you give me a bad rating when I give you my answer? I thought Christians were supposed to respect other people's religions, and not force God's will upon people? At least that's what I thought anyway! (My brother's a preacher)

Uncle, that made no sense whatsoever

Um Samuel, that is not what I asked. Read the question.

Basically what I mean is, I've noticed when people ask ateist questions, they give all the ateist thumbs down, and then give the christians thumbs up. Why ask the question if you can't handle the answer?

You guys are attacking me, why? Is it because I'm an atheist? HAHA

I select best answers, just so ya know, giving somone who disagrees with me thumbs up is not gonna help him get best answer.

OMG telling me Jesus loves me isn't going to change what I beleive, yet another Christian forcing their beleifs on me. . you people really don't get what I'm saying.

persei very good answer!

King, don't ya hate it when they change formats?? LOL

this is getting to be a good debate. . :o)

Answer 1

it's all a matter of convenience. if it's convenient to criticize an atheist to make oneself feel better about their own beliefs they will do it. if it's convenient to tell people not to do it to them, so they don't have to defend their fantasy, they will.

Answer 2

I don't think Christians are the only ones who do this. I've noticed the reverse to be true as well. It always amazes me that, in general, when a question is addressed to Christians by an atheist, the atheist answer gets best answer and when a Christians asks a question of atheists, the Christian answer gets picked. I can't explain it except to say people prefer what is most like themselves.

As for me, the only time I have ever given a thumbs down on a question I asked was by accident. I hit the wrong button and because of the format here, I couldn't change it. That doesn't mean that other people didn't give my answerers thumbs down, but even if I disagreed with the answer, I gave it either a thumbs up or didn't rate it at all.

Answer 3

Undoubtedly, there are some Christians that will give a "thumbs down" to any answer that goes against their beliefs. In some cases, they may even be justified.

For example, when a person asks "how can I become a Christian" and someone answers "Pre-frontal lobotomy", that answer would tend to get a thumbs-down from me.

Questions about general philosophy and spirituality are different, but even here, there are cases where difference in beliefs will tend to cause a person to believe that an answer is a poor one.

An example would be a person asking if helping out at the food bank giving groceries to people is pleasing to God, and someone answering that God is a myth. I would argue that a "thumbs down" would be appropriate, because the person isn't answering the question, but simply interjecting their own personal disbelief.

However, a question asking "Should I live like a Christian" would be more difficult. While I might think that the answer "no, there is no God, and you should just have all the fun you can because once you're dead, you're dead" is a bad answer, it would be on-topic and honest. (I'd probably choose to give neither up nor down on that, but I would understand a thumbs-down.)

And if the question was "What do atheists believe" and you gave a sincere, honest answer, I'd have to give a thumbs-up.

And hopefully, that answers your question.

Answer 4

It is impossible to know who is rating you with the current system that is in place. Unless you are getting thousands of thumbs down, I doubt Christians have specifically targeted you. Rather it is a few people here and there who just don't like your answer. Some may be Christians or they may not be, who knows. You may even have a troll or two, its been known to happen. Everyone experiences the thumbs down, I have learned to ignore it.
One question for you, how does receiving a thumbs down enforce God's will on you? Think about it, when you see His Word (Bible verses) typed as an answer, many times you also see poor ratings. Guess your both in the same boat.
:P

Answer 5

The impression I get with the rating process on Y/A is that it has more to do with whether you have written what the readers are prepared to accept. Some people are prepared to accept different opinions and rate them according to how well you've argued your point of view, but many aren't interested in that kind of depth. If you look at some questions, they are clearly designed only to draw out confirming opinions and those who disagree are still automatically wrong because the asker was not necessarily looking for a balanced response to start with.

It's not only the Christians who do this - it happens all over the forums. Don't forget the trolls who lurk in Y/A either and just rate anything down. Of course, if your view is unpopular, you've already consigned yourself to rating oblivion.

Let's not forget the the 'Best Answer' and rating process is utterly subjective at the best of times.

Answer 6

Its not just Christians. It really depends on who is logged on and is answering and giving thumbs up and down. I have seen answers from non Christians I expected to see many thumbs down because the asker was Christian asking for Christians and a non believer answered and to my surprise they got many thumbs up and the Christians got many thumbs down.

People giving a thumbs up or down aren't always someone who has answered the question. I give thumbs up and down to a lot on questions I do not answer but I am different than most, I give thumbs up even if I disagree with the answer if it is a good answer, that is well thought out and their opinion expressed in an articulate manner.

I give many thumbs down even to those I really want to give a thumbs up if they are correct in their views, but give mis information especially if they mis quote a passage of Scripture trying to make it appear it says something it does not. Many pagans that I admire and respect and feel close to misquote scripture and even though I like them and agree with their point, they gave a bad answer by misquoting scripture so I gave them a thumbs down.

I am sure I am not alone in this, I bet many people do this. but I also admit there are many who give a thumbs down to an excellent answer simply because they don't like their view.
BB

Answer 7

I believe I am a Christian because I believe and Love God Almighty and son Yeshuah and the Holy Spirit. I don't belong to any religion or church. I understand why you ask this question. I honestly notice people that claim they are lover's of Yeshuah (Jesus) are insults to the Christ. Their tongue speaks to many cruel and spiteful words. The overflow of the heart is what comes out of a person in *actions and words*.

Answer 8

I used to feel bad about the "thumbs down" rating but don't anymore. Why? Because some answers that are great sometimes get all thumbs down and some that are rude or just plain wrong get all thumbs up! it just depends on whose on R & S that day...and possibly what kind of mood they are in. LOL! Don't take it personally...Blessings!

Answer 9

YOU have every right in creation to chose what and how you believe any thing or any body. I have yet for anyone to prove that 90% of what is brought forth is fact or true. When the time comes for all to quit looking for the magic of something or someone to clean up there problems and take responsiblity for there actions,words,thoughts and deeds this will be a better world

Answer 10

No, we don't respect other people's religions. In fact Jesus was crucified for not respecting or tolerating the religious opinions of the religious elite of his day.

Likewise if you read ACTS you'll notice Jesus' apostles trying to get people out of foreign religions, calling them superstitious and foolish.

Answer 11

How do you know Christians are giving you the bad ratings (although I suspect it's fundies that are doing it)? And giving you bad ratings is hardly forcing God's will upon you, unless you feel intensely pressured by thumbs down, I get thumbs down all the time from people who don't agree with me, shows me that I must be doing something right. Wear your low ratings as a badge of honor.