any religious people, please, i am earnestly asking..?

Question

Why is it that in many of these religious questions, I have seen a lot of very respectful, but not pro-religious answers (as in generally not pro-christian), yet many religious people (as a general statement) seem to be giving thumbs down because even though the answer is completely respectful, and very plausible it still deserves an insult?

I am just not understanding this, I know there are definite reasons to give a thumbs down to something, but isn't the best way to fully understand your own religion, and be steadfast and strong in your faith is to have proper and accurate knowledge of other religions and philosophies so as to better debate/defend your own stance? Shouldn't religious people be thanking these well versed, well informed scientific people who are stating proven facts, rather than insulting them and telling them they are wrong? It is just a question, but I would think the more information you have the better. Or am I wrong in thinking this? Don't get defensive please.

"We are Christians. We are right and we know it. That's what our faith is all about. Why should we be thanking people who insult Christianity?

A thumbs down should be the least of their worries.

Burning in Hell for all eternity....now, that's something to worry about!"


this is exactly the bigoted egotistical type of behavior that makes people dislike christians so much. I'm sure this is an isolated guy, but honestly, is that the way you want your religion portrayed, rather than using knowledge and logical arguments to show you have a good understanding and proper knowledge of your belief? God never told you not to read a book. Infact, I'm sure he'd encourage it! :)

My question isn't so much about the thumbs up thumbs down, it is that maybe people should be appreciative of what they see on this site because much of it is helpful, even if they don't agree with it, maybe they can use that information and refute it with their own religion. Making their stance all the stronger.

Last added detail, if you must patronize me, please don't answer. No need to say "you must be new at this" if you don't have something helpful to say to this question, then don't answer. Your input isn't necessary to my existence. Thanks.

I guess you didnt read the question? I mentioned that many answers do deserve a thumbs down, but that was just an introduction to my question. Which apparently everyone missed even though I reiterated my intention of the post.

Answer 1

When someone questions another persons religion they get defensive, even if the statement is true. That is why they give thumbs down to answers that go against their religious teaching or beliefs.

Think about it in this manner. Does independent thought pose a threat to religion?

My opinion is that it does why else would religious leaders and hard-core followers mock, or put down any and all statements made about their religion?

They do not like being questioned about their religion and are more happy if people just blindly follow religion and its teachings.

Answer 2

Perhaps you are reading your own thoughts into the motivations of others when you see an answer with thumbs downs on it.

I can't speak for anyone else but when I give an answer a thumbs down it's because I believe the answer contains information that is incorrect. It doesn't matter to me how polite the person answering the question was. If they are not posting true and accurate information I hope that the person who is asking the question will see that other people who have read that answer don't think that the answer is a good answer to what they are asking.

When you read an answer by someone who is posting "scientific facts" you should be asking your self whether or not what they are posting are "facts" or if they are posting scientific speculations under the guise of calling them "facts".

I've seen many posts here making claims that science has proved how old the earth is or that macro-evolution has been proved to be true. But when you examine those claims it turns out that they are all based upon scientific guess work and we know from recent history that science books from 50 or 100 years ago are now laughed at by scientists who have the benefit of new discoveries and technology.

Did you know that it used to be accepted as scientific fact that it was impossible to build a machine that could fly or to build a machine that could travel to the moon or to build a high powered laser because they thought that such a device would melt the barrel that the beam came out of? Did you know that scientists have been revising how old they think the earth is for quite some time now?

Answer 3

You present your case from a non-religious perspective seeming to ignore the fact that the reverse occurs with at least an equal frequency. The "science" in which you place so much faith changes on a daily basis as you well know, but God's Word is always the same. Personally, I view the thumbs up or down as as an indication of my disagreement.

Answer 4

A thumbs down simply means you don't agree with the answer given. If you think you can ask a bunch of different questions here and everybody is going to give you a thumbs up because we all agree then your in for a huge let down. Some answers are just rude and hateful. Those answers get a lot of thumbs down first because nobody wants to see them and second because we don't agree with the answer. It doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad question or answer we just don't agree with it. Don't be so hard on yourself. It doesn't hurt to get a thumbs down, trust me I have received plenty of thumbs down and I don't even have a scratch on me.

Answer 5

This question has been asked a million times and is flawed.

Obviously your new to this. Well informed scientific people stating proven facts? A large number of Atheists seem to come here with the sole purpose of asking offensive questions to annoy religous people.

Also I mostly see pro religion answers getting thumbs down while pro Atheist answer get thumbs up, often no matter how stupid or inflamatory they are.

I'm not saying that religious people don't do this and there are a lot of them who do.

Answer 6

God gives us all freewill. Those who agree much with an answer here give it a "thumb up" Those who disagree much with an answer here give it a "thumb down."

Just as some persons here feed on getting many thumbs up; others feed on shocking us evermore to get many more thumbs down. Many Positive and a few puerile, negative philosophy-of-life types here.

Maybe a "fist up" and a "fist down" symbol would be better to better "rile-up the troops" ? an animated avatar with clicking heels together would be even more effective ! LOL with heels clicking sharply ! :))

I never go back to see if I have any thumbs here; all I have to do is look down and see both of them. The right one is my space-bar thumb. (No, I'm not drinking in public with our space Brothers and Sisters ! LOL)

Since atheists and agnostics are clearly in the minority here; the best way to get more "thumbs up" is to become a postive believer in our good and loving Father God ! Thumbs up and all UP in ever-drawing Spirit Gravity ! Or go to an atheist only forum and experience more kindred-misery of uncertainty and doubt. Your freewill choice to Be or not.

Peace and progress,
Brother Dave, a Jesusonian Christian Truthist
http://www.PureChristians.org/ Gospel enlarging website,
proclaiming worldwide the True Religion
OF JESUS and ABOUT JESUS and IN JESUS
Come and share !

Answer 7

I don't think it's just religious/non-religious people who do this; it happens on all the forums. If someone has a differing view from another poster, they give them thumbs down, even if the answer is respectful, intelligent, relevant or whatever.
Personally, I don't give thumbs down only on the basis of disagreeing with a poster. I only do so if the response is rude or hurtful. I have gained some very deep insights from people who have different points of view from mine.

Answer 8

Yes, I think you're right, to an extent. However, the people on this site who can demonstrate that their opinion has been strengthened by actual evidence are rare, and that's from ALL sides (monotheists, pantheists, polytheists, AND atheists) (well, I suppose not the pantheists as much, I don't think there are many on here).

To be fair, perhaps what's true of theists is true of atheists: That the obnoxious ones scream the loudest. There are lots of decent atheists on here who genuinely respect theists and try to understand their position, just as there are many decent theists on here who genuinely respect atheists and attempt to understand THEIR position.

But those that I've mentioned seem to be eclipsed by the atheists who quote Dawkins (or Zeitgeist, which is even worse) as though it's their own original thoughts, and the theists (in particular my fellow Christians) who judge everyone and tell them they're going to hell.

*I* believe we should all listen to each other. The atheists have their points, and so do the theists. I thought the whole point of this forum was to learn from each other. That's why I'm here, anyway.

And there are many, many on here from every side who are like me.

Answer 9

I think that quite a few people randomly give a thumbs down/up vote, just because they're bored. It has nothing to do with the type of question or answer. It's like pushing all the buttons inside an elevator - people do it 'cause they can.

It's like a mild form of vandalism. Happens a lot on internet sites because people can hide behind a user id or nickname.

Answer 10

The proven facts and realities cannot be denied.

Research in advance sciences is opening the hidden / unknown facts and new diamentions of life but no scientist has proved yet that creation of universe was without a creator!

As I know, Scientists do not deny the creator but they deny the attributes and names given to God.

These well informed and well versed people should understand this fact!