Do you often avoid answering questions when you know your answer won't be listened to?

Question

There are many questions here that seem to be mainly for the purpose of airing a viewpoint on the part of the questioner, and the purpose seems to be mainly for you to agree with him or her. Do you avoid answering such questions?

Do you avoid answering questions where the questioner is obviously hostile to your viewpoint and you feel sure that he or she will not listen? Or do you answer questions that you feel you know the answer to regardless of how the answer will be perceived?

Just curious. Thanks!

Answer 1

Depends on my mood at the time. When I'm discouraged to the point of Luke 13:34-35, I tend to leave them alone. When I feel like I can actually be of some assistance, like the asker isn't just trying to pick a fight, or the person seems to really need help, then I'm a lot more likely to respond. Anything from my contacts gets consideration at the very least, no matter how much or how little I agree with it -- they're contacts for a reason -- clearly we've had some common ground somewhere, whether we agree on a specific thing or not. Some days it just seems that there are more intelligent questions out there, and yours notwithstanding, today (so far) just isn't one of those days.
Have a great night!

Answer 2

"Do you often avoid answering questions when you know your answer won't be listened to?" - No.

"Do you avoid answering such questions?" - Probably, but in R&S there is no right or wrong answer, so I feel comfortable putting my 2 cents in. If person is not raging or mean to others.

"Do you avoid answering questions where the questioner is obviously hostile to your viewpoint and you feel sure that he or she will not listen?" - Yes, I avoid rage and hostile questions, I do not want to be deleted by false reporting rages. I have lost over 20 good people to rage unfounded reporting.

Answer 3

I answer every question that peaks my interest. It doesn't matter what others think about the answer. I am required to answer honestly and not give one inch of ground. I guess I am like a soldier in world war II.....patton never wanted to pay for the same real estate twice. That's how I feel spiritually. As I fight each battle with the grace of Christ's help---I continue to move forward. I suppose some call it maturity---others think it is just going forward. But I guess it has something to do with the fact that there are newborns in the Lord that need the input from other Christians who have struggled past where they are right now. They need the encouragement they receive from Christians who have been there, done that and lived to tell about it.

My pastor told us recently---"what others think of you is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS." What a great line. Took it back to the office and put it on my door. :-) So--in answer to your question---I answer ALL questions that I like and I don't flip flop on the major issues to make someone like me.

Just my opinion....God Bless you

Answer 4

It goes on a case by case basis as the Spirit moves me. Sometimes, even if the asker seems totally closed-minded, I'll answer just for the sake of those reading the answers.

Spread your bread upon the waters and all that...

The Lord has laid the conviction on me that the world needs more love. Which may be something even the angriest posters can believe in, hmmm?

Answer 5

witnessbr1 hit the nail on the head with his (or her) answer.

Sometimes I'll answer those kinds of questions where the question acts as the questioner's soapbox, sometimes I don't - I choose what to do by thinking about whether I actually have anything of interest to others to put down for my answer.

I do tend to avoid answering hostile questions...unless I feel strongly enough to rebuke him/her.

I'd like to become more bold in answering all kinds of questions, though. Coming out of my online shell wouldn't hurt very much, I guess.

Answer 6

I didn't used to. But answering questions in the religion and veganism categories is pretty much a quick way to find the most intolerant users of Yahoo Answers.

I think after a few weeks here, you can usually suss out quickly which questions need legitimate answers, and which ones are penned by attention whores looking for little tiny soapboxes upon which to stand.

Answer 7

I like your glasses,too! I usually will answer questions if the subject is something I am passionate about, or have been in the same situation, and feel as though I could give good advice, or at the least, encouragement.

Answer 8

No, not if the question pertains to the testimony of Jesus, and that of His witness, John. I am compelled to spread the Word of God, to plant seeds, this is what I am commanded to do, Sometime I get frustrated, when they twist the Word of God, the Words Jesus spoke to speak hatred for their brothers and sisters without a cause.

But mine is not my will but the will of the Father, and I will endure until the end. They hated Jesus and did not believe Him, so why should I get frusrated because they won't believe me.

Answer 9

If I disagree with their rant I enjoy answering very much. Especially if it is a subject that I know well or feel passionately about. If it is something I agree with, then it's a little more boring. I'd rather debate than just read stuff I already know or believe.

Answer 10

Pro 9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Pro 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Pro 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Pro 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Sometimes you must discern whether it is the wise man or the fool who asks the question. :-)