Does Everyone Really Want Answers?

One of the things we have learned from monitoring my Facebook page is that many people who ask questions don’t necessarily want answers. Because of the volume of responses (particularly the thousands of comments that get posted), we just can’t get to everyone. However, we do try to answer each of those who make a separate post and ask questions.

Now (depending on how something is asked), we usually give people the benefit of the doubt when they ask a question.  However, we have found that many people, when they receive an answer, will come back with an attacking question or some mocking statement. So when they illustrate that they really do not want an answer, they are removed.

Actually, we have to monitor this page carefully, and we do hide comments, delete comments, and ban people daily. Some attack personally, use expletives, make threats, post pornography, make blasphemous statements—and the list goes on.

This Facebook page was never meant to be a forum (see our policy statement)—though because of the volume of responses, we do allow some discussion and contrary arguments provided it remains civil. And we do appreciate those people who sincerely are seeking answers.

I also want to remind everyone that by far the majority of questions people ask are already answered on our website AnswersInGenesis.org.  My Facebook is used more like a newspaper to give news on the church and culture and some teaching—but AnswersInGenesis.org is the main information site for people.

As we interact with people on my Facebook, I keep these instructive verses of Scripture in mind:

A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.  (Proverbs 14:6–7)

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.  (Proverbs 18:2)

A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back. (Proverbs 29:11)

Ken