Why are their people who do not believe in religion or in spirituality answering questions?

Question

in the spirituality and religion section of Yahoo Answers? Is it within the community guidelines to present myself as something I am not. In other words, is it ok to be an impostor?

Do you answer questions in categories you don't believe exist? Do you answer questions regarding a practice (like that of Dr.s, Lawyers) just because you don't practice also?

What's your opinion?

Let it be noted there is plenty of evidence to support my question. My question is also not in violation of Yahoo Answers community guidelines. To report abuse would then constitute you being in violation as well as violate my 1st amendment rights! Please just answer like an adult or don't answer at all. Thanks

Answer 1

I absolutely believe that religion exists. The existence of religion has no bearing on the existence or otherwise of a divine entity (i.e. God). Being an Atheist means I have taken a religious stance, and thus I am able to provide my own point of view of religious matters.



Or are you the sort of people who only ever wants to talk to people who have exactly the same viewpoint as yourself? That sounds really boring to me.



BTW, not all the people who answer will be US citizens, so are not covered by your 1st amendment. Equally any US based Atheists are covered by the 1st amendment which gives them a perfect right to answer any religious based question.

Answer 2

I'm an atheist, but when I answer questions in RS it's always relevant. This question, for example, pertains to me. Others are along the lines of "What do you think about God", under which "I don't believe He exists" is a valid response. There are also questions about evolution and cosmology that I try to tackle, as I have relevant education in those fields (the former more than the latter).



The answers should fit the question, though. If the question is "What does [Bible verse X] mean?", then "The Bible is BS" is not a valid answer. It should be noted that I see a lot of creationists in the Biology section trying to pull this, when a question like "what's the evidence for the evolution of [structure x]" there are often a number of people who answer that evolution is a scam, isn't valid, etc. This sort of thing is not confined to atheists and agnostics within RS.



As a side note, reporting as abuse would *not* be a violation of your rights. The only body that can violate your freedom of speech is the government. Since Yahoo is not a governmental body, it can silence and censor you as much as it wants. You wouldn't really have legal recourse (since it's a free service), but you could always fight back through freedom of speech in other venues or by not using their services (which would decrease Yahoo's advertising revenues). They wouldn't be silencing you... they'd just be saying that you can't use their service to put forth whatever opinion you were reported for. There's a big difference between the two.

Answer 3

You don't own the R&S category it is for everybody. And it's ABOUT religion and spirituality not exclusively for religious and spiritual people.



There are no categories I don't believe exist, poor choice of words. While your question is not a violation of the community guidelines, the 1st amendment is invalid here. It's Yahoo, not the United States of Yahoo. This is a GLOBAL website and there must be a global standard. In a lot of countries you cannot say whatever you want. And while you did not commit an act of hate speech, you should be aware that there are limits to what you can say on this website.

Answer 4

Drink!





In matters of opinion, I often answer, even though I'm not a republican policy maker, but rather a democratic sympathizer. This is NOT a category with requires specialized knowledge, but just any two bit opinion.



I wouldn't want a politics sections that only allowed conservative answers. Nor would I want a religious section that only allowed answers from believers. In these sorts of opinion categories, as opposed to specific knowledge categories, like medicines or legalities, opinions from all across the spectrums are best in forming our own opinions.

Answer 5

i answer questions about religion and ect even though i am an atheist because i offer a neutral opinion on religion. i can present an outsiders veiw. having said that, i also respond to answers that start with "Atheists: ..." which would imply that although they are in the religion section, they are, in fact, addressed to myself and other atheists. i also respond to questions that try to discredit the views of atheists and questions that are just plain abusive to atheists.



And for the record mate, I'm not from the USA, so you can shove your first amendment up your **** and ill say whatever i like to answer your question. Stop being so arrogant and naive in assuming that everyone on Y!A is American.

Answer 6

People do not need a religion to believe in to be very knowledgable about religion.



What about people who were raised as christians and know the bible inside and out but become atheists and free thinkers in later life? They will know more about the christian religion than maybe you do. The same goes for muslims and other religions and religions in general.



These people have as much right to be here as you.



Your question was asked to non believers.

Answer 7

Well, i should tell you, i'm an atheist, the thing is i don't believe 'in' any religion, I believe religion exists...(that would certainly explain a lot of the churches :3 ) but i don't believe 'in' them. Spirituality in my opinion can exist without religion....thats why it is possible for people to believe in different religions, you can be spiritual without having to go to a church, mosque, synagogue etc.



I think people who are atheist...like myself, answer questions in the religion and spirituality section because...well maybe, just maybe...their opinions and ideas are equal to yours, and just because they dont endorse religion doesnt mean they don't have anything to say about it.

Answer 8

Why do I come here?

*drink*

Let me count the ways...



This gets asked so often I prepared a list…

1. *drink*

2. Cos we can.

3. For teh LuLz.

4. A-theism is NOT a religion but it IS a valid religious position.

5. Who else would answer all the questions aimed at atheists?

6. Coming here, always makes me feel smarter-saner than I really am.

7. Kid, if you and your people didn't go to such extraordinary lengths to try to convince me and my people that all that imaginary little space chappie stuff wasn't any more than primitive superstition, you and your people would probably never hear from me and my people.

8. AND, cheap points are nothing to scoff at, huh?

9. The cats banned us from their section... cos we aren't cats(get it?).

10. I'm thinking... hang on a mo'.

11. I find religion totally fascinating…

12. I find the followers even more so.

13. AND their leaders… well no one does boolshit quite like Benny and the gang.

14. Religion permeates all of our lives whether we like it or not.

15. Oh, and how about ‘know thy enemy’?

16. Cos religion is the enemy of reason – it’s not harmless, innocent, blameless, sunshine and goodness – we can NOT ignore atrocities committed daily in the name of invisible sky guys.

~

Answer 9

Oh, I believe in religion. That definitely exists: you only have to look around, or pay the smallest attention to world news.

In fact my position is that far too much of it exists.



Do you feel that religious statements should somehow be sacrosanct, immune from comment or critique?

(Apart from members of one faith decrying another, possibly?)

I see no grounds for putting them on such a pillar.



Or might the criterion be knowledge, in which case I know the bible and its history, and that of Christianity better than the vast majority of Christians I encounter.

Answer 10

You don't have to be in practice to answer a question regarding a certain profession, especially if you know the answer anyway.



If this were to be followed only priests and atheists should be able to answer theological questions.



No one is deemed an impostor unless they directly claim something but are proven without a doubt to be something else. In fact, if anyone claims to be something then they have to prove it otherwise no one will take him seriously and believe it.

Answer 11

You are saying that only religious people can have valid opinions on religion. That is like saying only communists have the right to an opinion on communism, or that only astrologers can talk about astrology.

You talk about your right to speak, but you want to deny this right to others on the basis of their beliefs.

And serious atheists on this forum don't misrepresent themselves. They speak their minds. You want to make agreement with you a prerequisite for engaging in the discussion.

Answer 12

It is in violation. "answer like an adult or not at all" It's insulting, to everyone, regardless of their religious demographic. I won't report you, but you need to wake up.



As for your question...

Derp.

Do I need to be a cat or dog to answer questions about pets? The medical advice analogy is truly disingenuous to the matter as well.

Answer 13

This question comes up from time to time. On the surface, it is a good question, but once one goes deeper, there is a logic.



Atheists are trying to educate those who believe in what science is proving is not true. Granted, many are as rude as many of the christians, but they are not misrepresenting themselves. Some are actually trying to help.

Answer 14

In their defense:



This section is called Religion and Spirituality.



No, some might not believe in these 2 things.



However. It is a topic they are able to discuss because they have an opinion about it and probably HAVE had some experience.

Answer 15

Well, well, well. If it isn't the same guy who answered a question of mine very immaturely. That would be fine, but now you're being a complete hypocrite! You've answered one of my questions like a whining brat, and now you expect us to answer your question like adults!? You fail as a person for being such a hypocrite.

Answer 16

There are so many categories in Yahoo other than Religion or Spirituality. That's why they are answering questions.

Answer 17

Perhaps like decent people, they believe in freedom of speech. My real concern is about radical anti-gay activists who try to silence others and lock them out of the public square. If they're not doing it to gay people, they are attacking non-believers, Muslims, Latinos, etc. So much for the "tolerant conservatives."

Answer 18

They are in here to destroy both Christianity and the R&S, but obviously YA doesn't have any control over it. You might report them for impersonization. I report misrepresentation a lot. Report the wicked!!!

Answer 19

Because it's an open forum for ALL who want to participate, not a segregated forum for those who believe in religion.



Like ALL R&S sections, it is categorised by subject, not participant.



Edit:

@Joe:

"I reported you."



Don't be a report monkey, please. If you see something disagreeable, then post a disagreement instead. Report monkeys are ruining this forum.



Edit2:

Oh, and *drink*

Answer 20

In the age of free flow of information and and views we cannot and should not stop it. In stead we should learn to tolerate more! If people who believe in spirituality and God, cannot learn to tolerate then who else will!?

Answer 21

Here at Y/A I get to hear views I'd never encounter in my normal routine. I'm loving it!

Answer 22

Your question is a very good example of why I post answers, the difference between belief and knowledge.



You believe in gods, I have knowledge of religions. Which of us is more qualified to answer?

Answer 23

they dont believe in that becuz they think its just a bunch on nonsence and bull crap i do belive in reli but i do belive in ghosts D:

Answer 24

okay some people are just nuts and wants to humiliate everyone...others just wants to earn point...

Answer 25

I reported you. No, seriously. Because dumbass, who else would answer questions directed at us. I really did report you though, lol.

Answer 26

FAAAACK YOOOOU =D

I can answer whereever I want to answer dipshit

Answer 27

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: