Why is this the most hateful board I have seen on YA!?

Question

I have spent some time in a variety of categories on here. usually depending on what is on my mind at any given point in life.

Up until now, I thought the weddings section was filled with a lot of judgement, but I see more hateful, judgemental responses here than any other topic.

Is that why people often say not to discuss religion or politics? Why can't we all give our perspective in a respectful way? I think it is fascinating to learn what other people believe and why... and respect their point of view. Why blast them if they aren't hurting anyone? Why do we insist that everyone believe what they believe? Are you just as hateful if someone loves a movie that you thought was awful?

I just don't get it....

I was raised to respect others. I have friends that are Jewish, Wiccan, Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, Baptist, Catholic, and the list goes on. I respect them all... even if I don't believe the same things.

Sherilyn - I haven't been in that category yet, but I don't doubt it's very similar....

Again, I guess you just can't discuss religion and politics and expect people to respect different views.

Oh yes, there is a weddings board. There it's the "etiquette police" that are nasty.

"You can't have a Dollar Dance - that's tacky."

"You MUST hand address all your invitations."

Tacky tacky tacky. That's the big offence there.

Answer 1

Stick around then. This category could use more like you!

Answer 2

I've seen judgmental posts in nearly all of the categories I've visited -- including the "cats" and "dogs" categories, if you can believe it, where harsh judgment is often passed on whether or not someone is a good and responsible pet owner because they do (or don't do) A, B, or C.

Same principle here, except of course it's kicked up a notch or two.

This is where people hash it out, basically. And if someone holds a particular belief dear -- whatever that happens to be -- he or she is not going to take it kindly when someone else slams it.

R&S is one of the categories where questions actually seeking information are few and far between. Most are asked to spark debate or discussion, within the Q&A format.

I was raised as you were --to respect others' beliefs. I daresay many here are much more respectful in "real life", but this anonymity makes spouting off hard to resist.

Answer 3

I think it's that the stakes are higher, and are much more personal. In the Wedding section, it's about some obscure and varied ideas of what is acceptable and what is not (and that changes, depending on the times, the people involved, the culture, and the area where you live). This is about eternal souls.

Since one of the largest worldwide religions includes trying to convert others as its main purpose, that just opens up the door for defensiveness, offensive talks, and hatred. Most people would be okay with Christianity if it were like Judaism or other religions that don't try to impose their beliefs on others, but they resent Christians determined to win souls to Christ. I'm a Christian, and still can see how that would anger people.

Overzealous "soul winners" put a bad taste in the unbeliever's mouth, so even if a person is not directly offending them, they are quick to assume that person either will eventually, or that they want to and are barely containing themselves. And they take the overzealous Christians as the norm, and often assume that ANY mention of Christianity is going to "go there."

Most all religious (or "areligious" groups) have been persecuted at one time or another, throughout history. So we are all defensive.

Many religions, whether they're vocal about it or not, are exclusive. There is ONE God and one way to worship him or her, depending on what you believe. So if you believe in it 100%, that doesn't leave room for "or whatever works for you." You can't say that there is, without a doubt, only one God, and say other people's gods are fine for them.

To be honest, I think you have it about right, though. Ignorance and insults should not be tolerated in any society, and unfortunately, the majority of the people who ask questions in this catagory on here, or who frequent religious chat rooms, or whatever are narrow-minded, ignorant about the truth about the people and beliefs they rail against, and are insulting others in hopes they will see the error of their ways.

Answer 4

I think there are probably two reasons for this:

1) People's religions are very close to their hearts; hence they are sensitive about it, and may see an attack where there wasn't one intended. For most devout religious people, their religion defines who they are as a person...thus, anyone who attacks their religion is attacking them, and they believe a counter-attack is necessary.

2) It's very easy to attack a religion from behind a computer screen, but it is not politically correct to do so in society in general. Therefore, if an atheist has an ax to grind with fundamentalist Christians because they believe the laws being passed by fundies are effecting them, then this is an ideal place to vent their frustrations. Another example: Say a woman finds Islam objectionable because of the treatment of women within that religion, then she may passionate attack Islamic laws, as they find them to be heinous and in opposition to basic human rights. Basically, all the barriers imposed in the workplace, and society in general, etc, can be ignored here, and there is no real repercussions for the poster. This creates a kind of free-for-all atmosphere.

And then, there are those who just enjoy causing trouble and spewing venom. This is an ideal place for that kind of idiocy.

I love the variety of views posted here...sometimes I even learn something.

Thanks for the question. It is a really good one.

Answer 5

It is true that Jehovah's Witnesses are not loved by everyone.
http://jw-media.org/newsroom/human_rights.htm
Some people hate Jehovah's Witnesses out of ignorance, or over some misunderstanding. A few may have had a bad personal experience with an individual who claimed to be a Jehovah's Witness, and prejudicially extended their animus to this entire Christian religion.

However, it seems that the majority of anti-Witness hatred is motivated by religious intolerance and bigotry. A few may even be motivated against their Christian worship by the unseen 'god of this system of things', Satan the Devil.

(2 Corinthians 4:4) the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers

Interestingly, such "hatred" should be expected by true Christians in this time of the end, and it actually helps identify Jehovah's Witnesses as Christ's true disciples:

(John 15:19) If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.

(Luke 6:22) Happy are you whenever men hate you, and whenever they exclude you and reproach you and cast out your name as wicked for the sake of the Son of man.

(1 Peter 4:4) Because you do not continue running with them in this course to the same low sink of debauchery, they are puzzled and go on speaking abusively of you.

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

It seems signficant that the relatively small religion of Jehovah's Witnesses are the ones best known for their worldwide preaching work. Yet Jesus commanded that ALL who would call themselves "Christian" perform this public work:

(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.


Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20030301/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20020401/article_01.htm

Answer 6

I answered a question last night that proposed that "All Americans run over a Mexican today."

I told him to lay down behind my car so I could see if it would actually kill someone. The question was deleted but the racial questions are probably the worse.

There were also some militant questions from blacks that were espousing the virtues of killing whites.

Where does it end?

The R&S section often puts even the racial slurs to shame.

If there is a "God" surely they are looking down and saying..."NO, that's NOT what I had in mind. NOT AT ALL. Everybody, play NICE."

Peace.

Answer 7

Sweetheart, you're living in the past. I well remember when polite folks didn't comment on another's beliefs in public. It was considered rude to question another's right to believe whatever they wished. Those days are long gone -- destroyed by Christians who organized for political gain. Once Christians began to change civil and criminal law to reflect their own superstitious preferences, they broke the truce. Those who use religion to manipulate America's secular values violated the rights of their fellow Americans and are now unworthy of the respect formerly enjoyed by those who allow superstition to rule their lives.

Secondly, it is not hateful to point out the logical and intellectual flaws in someone's superstitious thinking. It is an effort to help them overcome the obvious failings of their education. Like it or not, rational logical thinking serves humanity and irrational illogical belief does not. The difference is, these days -- when everybody must compete for their prosperity -- civilization can no longer tolerate deliberate willful ignorance. Religious folks still enjoy the right to believe whatever they wish. They do not enjoy the right to inflict their ignorant superstitions on the rest of us. Hopefully, you get that.

Answer 8

Any time you throw people with different beliefs together in one area, you're going to have conflict. Especially if it's about something as important as religion. People feel so strongly that what they believe is true, and they try so desperately to force-feed this to others in the interest of "Saving" them.

Personally, I don't see the point of fighting about it, people are going to believe what they want to, and nobody is really converting people on Yahoo!Answers... Heh. Oh well. I gotta admit, it can be quite entertaining sometimes.

Answer 9

This is the very Best Y/A forum because by his mouth the one who is an apostate brings his fellowman to ruin, but by knowledge are the righteous rescued. How can we please God if we fail to explain his will to the people? Even if the people fail to respond in a manner which you feel is appropriate, they have at least read the word of God and have been given viewpoints to ponder. Who is right? The word of God says: You people will again certainly see the distinction between a righteous one and a wicked one, between one serving God and one who has not served him.”And isn't that true in this forum.

Answer 10

Because they're not as fortunate as to learn what respect really means. And unfortunately, when you have a bunch of people hiding behind a computer, they're going to show their true colors, even if it is ugly.

P.S.
I've gotten into MANY tiffs with people on the weddings board.

Answer 11

Respecting other peoples beliefs in everyday life is the right thing to do. But on here, in Y!A, not that I mean that this is not real, but the anonymity that we experience here gives free reign for our thoughts and we tend here to let go of some of the restraints and inhibitions that we otherwise would not do in face-to-face-everyday communications.