Is this ironic? "You are too ignorant to ask questions!"?

Question

When you read a question, in the religion and spirituality section, to which someone has replied "You are ignorant! Get an education before you ask such silly questions!" what is the first thing that comes to mind?

What is your feeling about the practice of denigrating people who ask "uneducated questions"?

Answer 1

Isn't asking questions one way to get educated?



In my opinion, it is terribly mean to put someone down for being honest enough to admit that they don't know something. My mom had a long term boyfriend when I was a kid who used to always say "Stop asking stupid questions" to me any time I asked him something that he thought I should already know. It fortunately didn't effect my self esteem, because I had a wonderful 5th grade teacher who helped me put it into perspective. I said to her, "Do I ask stupid questions?" and she said "Dear, there is no such thing as a stupid question, only a stupid answer!" :)

Answer 2

The first thing that comes to mind is "What! People are so rude but oh well it's not directed nor intended towards me so I won't take it as an offense."

I suggest you do the same. Anyways those people who say that just don't know the answer and/or are trying to make people feel bad. One has to recognize that there are people like that in the world and worst of all on the internet. One just has to find a way around those people. And also if you ever talk to anyone like that tell them that an education isn't going to help clear up questions about faith and spirituality. It's only going to get you further away from it.

Answer 3

Nobody has a problem with someone who asks a question because they're really interested in learning something.

You'll usually see a response like that to someone who is making a straw-man argument. (Making up "facts" that they claim the other person believes, and then knocking down the "facts" that they themselves had made up.)

Example: "The theory of evolution says that a turtle can just turn into a dog! That's preposterous! How can anyone be so stupid as to believe in that nonsense?"



They'll get a response like "get an education" because they're basing the "question" ("How can anyone be so stupid as to believe that nonsense?) on ignorance (the theory of evolution says that a turtle can just turn into a dog). If they had said, "Someone told me that the theory of evolution says that a turtle can turn into a dog. Is this true?" Then that's more of an honest question, and would be a different story.

Answer 4

I think they should have just ignored the question. Also, they sometimes say this when the asker holds a very different view to their own. I have had hate email many times when I have answered a question in R and S. I have disagreed with the asker of the question and have been emailed and asked to explain myself in more detail! Quite a lot of loonies here you know?! I don't worry too much about it. I'm usually drunk when I come in this section anyway ,it's quite funny when you have had a few.

Answer 5

I wouldnt judge any question as being an 'ignorant question.' Isn't this why we come into this section? To share, learn & educate eachother?

If someone responded to me like that, the first thing that would probably come into my mind would be 'just take your anger elsewhere.' Some people are just looking for someone to hook into their anger.

I come onto YA to exchange opinions & learn. I dont think there is any responsibility on any of us to 'get an education' before we do so.

Answer 6

The first thing that comes to mind is that the person who posted that reply wasted an opportunity to educate the questioner. If the question was asked sincerely then it wasn't ignorant.



Never put anyone down for wanting to enrich their mind.

Answer 7

Well, why take it personally? Just read and ignore and move on. Don't be too sensitive. The world is full of them. People love denigrating others and finally end up denigrating themselves too. So lets just concentrate on improving our wisdom and perfecting ourselves. If pay too much attention to these things, we would end up destroying only ourselves. The one who has insulted you isn't bothered anyway because he/she is ignorant already. But at least you know what it is like to insult or disrespect or demean somebody.



So be positive and confident and just move on.

Answer 8

Some people ask questions because they honestly don't think that the question is a stupid question. They really do want an honest answer. While others ask knowingly stupid and ignorant questions just to be stupid and annoying.



The degrading of someone is never called for. There is no reason to be hurtful.

Answer 9

I am not going to judge someone here by what they ask, I have to remember that people are as young as 12yrs old on here. Besides, I was once told there are no such things as stupid questions, just stupid people that are to scared to ask a question cause they think it's too stupid.

Answer 10

You are confused.



Most of the questions that get answers like that are NOT sincere questions, but trolling and baiting.



Many of the times the asker is making false accusations about a topic to which it is blatantly apparent that they have no understanding.



What else do you say to an arrogant troll that is just looking to start a fight?

Answer 11

Every question is not for everybody to answer. If your question is silly to me I have the option of not replying. And in r&s there always will be silliness in our questions and for that matter, in our answers too, since we do not know the truth.



I don't reply to all the silly questions. Your's this one is an exception though.

Answer 12

Well, I came across an avowed atheist today who was misquoting scripture in order to make his argument legitimate, so I would consider that ignorant. As for legitimately asking a question, that's a totally different story.

Answer 13

I feel that almost all questions are important or entertaining enough to be posted, unless they are vulgar. Someone might possibly learn something from them. However calling another person ignorant, is just too unkind.

Answer 14

How else does one rid themselves of ignorance, if not by asking question?!



True, I could wish for better grammar, or the ability to use the spell check sometimes... but I welcome all serious questions.



If you are tired of "ignorant, uneducated" questions, try answering a few and educate the asker!

Answer 15

The first thing that comes to my mind is there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers. Someone who would say something like that may be mentally intelligent, but they certainly lack emotional intelligence.

Answer 16

Depends on what the question is and how its phrased. I have read one to many REALLY ignorant questions about evolution on thier board to feel that way anymore. They don't really want an answer, they want to be vindicated.

Answer 17

each from time to time, the way the question is asked, or the enhanced factors that are added, coach that the questioner is unaware of undemanding concepts of actual and incorrect, or unaware of manners or respectful habit. whilst this occurs, the questioner is generally no longer probably in seek of actuality, yet quite attempting to reason injury, hate or an argument.

Answer 18

People forget that's what this is here for. No question is ignorant, especially when you don't know the answer. People forget that's how we learn, is by asking questions.

Answer 19

Well said, Innerpeacemom.

The deeper and more difficult to understand the question, the more people will label it as 'stupid'.

Knuckle draggers. (Pardon my judgementalism).

Ignore 'em

Answer 20

i just started school in the fall and today was my first day and my teacher said "the only stupid questions are the questions that dont get asked"

Answer 21

Many questions are just veiled attacks and it is obvious. But responding to them is counter-productive. Just ignore them.

Answer 22

Sounds like a bit of an oxymoron to me like "passive aggression" or "military intelligence", but I haven't seen your question so I can't comment.

Answer 23

It sounds to me like the person calling you ignorant simply doesn't know the answer to your question. :)

Answer 24

i cant judge this without seeing what theyre responding to but it doesnt sound wise

Answer 25

"Don't be afraid to ask dumb questions. They're more easily handled than dumb mistakes."



-- William Wister Haines

Answer 26

My bus driver called me ignant once.

Answer 27

be tolerant and stay away from value judgement!