What do you think of this?

Question

I'm always intrigued that many non believers will cry foul if they perceive they are being judged. And rightly so. And yet by professing morality, do you think they understand that by posting questions that specifically bait the answerer into either offering a sarcastic comment or remark, or which succeeds in raising the ire of those they call "fundies", that their professed morality can come then under question - and RIGHTLY so?
the answerers can be believers or non believers, liberal or "fundie". It doesn't matter. The person whose question it is has the obvious intent of mocking those with whom they disagree.... - doesn't this make them just as "fundie" as the "fundies"?
What are your thoughts?

should read "can then come under question"

Dear Set:
I understand your answer, however you've just proven my point. If you profess morality - ie patience, kindness, knowing right from wrong etc - then why would you WANT to bait someone? and why WOULDN't you feel guilt about it? That's what morality does. It places in us the drive to do good, along with the knowledge that we have not lived up to it if we don't. I appreciate your answer. :)

wow great answers here... and thank you Set, for your additional edit.

This question is not so much about hurt feelings as it is about the morality behind making a conscious decision to insult via baiting. I'm curious about this choice people make.
thank you all.

Answer 1

Nobody is twisting their arm to post a foolish reply. They do it of their own 'free will' and why should we feel guilty for testing their intelligence? They do the same with regards to our lack of faith.

Addition:

While morality does indeed consist of the components you point out, patience, kindness, knowing right from wrong etc., there is a consideration I feel that has even greater weight. I think it is more important to consider the greater good for the greater number of people. I think it would be immoral to put the feelings of one individual before that of literally millions of people. I think religion; the Abrahamic religions in particular, are immoral when practiced fundamentally and millions upon millions of people have, are, and will suffer needlessly as the result of the ‘fundies’ irrational and immoral adherence to the tenets of these religions. And, by suffering, I don’t just mean hurt feelings or pride. They don’t respond to reasoning and so I resort to sarcasm and ridicule. I have never once been able to get a good argument from any fundie. They always find a way to skirt my questions while I try very hard to answer their questions to the best of my ability. They have unfair advantages that they use to excess. One is the fact that they are not a minority that is highly discriminated against like the Atheists. Another is that they don’t even feel they need to justify their actions by any other reason than their blind faith. I find humor in sarcasm and if it is at the expense of a few individuals who can’t hold their ground in a debate then they should not involve themselves in debate. They’ve had their butts kissed by society at large long enough. I say let them either put up or shut up. There is much more at stake here than the hurt feelings of a few overly sensitive fundies who sure know how to dish it out. Anyway, life’s too short. Can’t we all just lighten up a bit? Learn to laugh at ourselves? The world needs more humor and I find some of my favorite questions and answers (not my own) are the ones that make me LOL. =D

Addition:

I just saw this and thought you might find it relevant. Peace.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvTlTytt2txzQm_ja3dxb2vd7BR.;_ylv=3?qid=20071031165521AAtjk6D

Answer 2

Fundamentalist athiests? hmmm an interesting point. Well there are no real fundamental beliefs to atheism other than non belief or i guess the belief that there is nothing to believe in. The fundamental belief of atheism is not to mock the Christians/other theists. Not all athiests have the same morals - you can still believe in your own morality and be true to your morals but if your morals do not include not baiting, not being sarcastic, your morality is not coming into question. Sorry, I have never used the word moral that many times in one sentence :)
The problem that athiests have with Christians judging people is that the Bible tells you "judge not lest ye be judged" and so would come under either your fundamental beliefs or your morals and so athiests can call you out on it. If judging is not against an athiest own personal morals, how can his morality be called into question?

Answer 3

I'm a non-believer and when I ask a question directed at believers, it is because I am genuinely seeking to understand their point of view, although this may sometimes seem like mockery. If I want to mock someone, I'll do it in my answers. But asking these baiting questions never interested me. I suppose that the non-believers who ask them are using the old fight fire with fire approach. They feel judged and mocked, so they judge and mock others. Or perhaps they're just they're just trying to amuse themselves. I see this kind of baiting being done on both sides. Nevertheless, if you really take offense to a question, you always have the option of not answering. You could also report it, but I never report simply because I don't take Y!A seriously enough to do so.

Answer 4

great question:

"why would ANYONE want to bait someone?"

probably a good courtroom technique, designed to put
another person into a 'losing' position ... in some ways
quite a bit "opposed to" the technique of "teaching"

... where a question can instead make you THINK ...
and hopefully in an enlightening direction

I took a math class midterm once which "guided" the
test-taker into deriving the formula for surface area
of a torus ( I don't think I could have figured it out on
my own without sitting for the test)

yeah, there really are questions that *help* people develop
.. instead of trapping and humiliating

Answer 5

I understand the heart of what you are saying and believe that using slang terms such as "Fundie" when describing a group of uncomprimising people,gathered around a central theme, is an obvious manifestation of bitterness(mild-hot anger). It is most often used in an attempt to provoke an equal reaction by the listener. The use of any mean-spirited adjective(even when subliminally presented,in a coy manner),is wrong and should not be happening in the Christian camp,ever. I often times am angered myself when I read some of the nonsense offered on this forum,but try to hear the heart and answer lovingly without retaliation.(Cyber cheek-turning).....

I agree,(((RAMMIE))).

Answer 6

Yes, Rammie. The key here is RESPECT ! As long as one has and shows respect for the other then there is NO reason that people of differing Faiths can hold meaningful conversations about each others' Faiths.

I try, for the most part, to be respectful of other beliefs and am proud to include people of MANY Faiths among my friends, even Christian "Fundies". As long as the respect is maintained as a TWO way street, there is absolutely no reason to exclude folks based soley on their Faith.

BB,
Raji theGreen Witch

Answer 7

Rude and mean spirited remarks are just as ugly no matter who is making the statement. I have the utmost regard for those who can come on this forum and express themselves without having to insult the beliefs of others. The highest purpose this site could serve is to debate and question spiritual matters without childish insults.

Answer 8

I totally agree. Some people are setting Christians up, I think, in the hopes that we will reply in a way such that they can call us hypocrites or judgemental or whatever. Then, if we do not give the answer they are expecting, they say that we are wimps, weak, etc.

We can't win no matter what we say.
I think it makes them judgemental and unkind. What is the purpose of baiting someone, anyway?

Great question!

Answer 9

Proverbs 16:24 - Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Answer 10

I think an honest appraisal of most of the questions asked here no matter what the beliefs of the asker will find it is some form of "do you still beat your wife?" I have to admit that the thought of there being such a thing as a fundamentalist atheist has never crossed my mind...lol