Anonymous asked this question on 5/15/2000:

Dear AskMe Wicca Experts,

I am an expert in this category myself and have recently spent sometime answering insincere questions from christians who are only using the AskMe service as their pulpit. Now we have a question from a Moslem. Did any of you who answered this question receive any negative or preachy feedback from the Moslem?

Also, as folks have to register with AskMe to use the service I have decided to click on their AskMe name and take a look at their profile before answering any public questions. I don't like be condemned for my faith and feel it is rather hard that these folks seek us out for this purpose. I do hope no pagans or wiccans are playing these games with the experts in other religious categories. I feel that we are bit more noble in nature than that.

What ought we to do when we feel that answering a question is pointless because the questioner is not sincerely seeking information?

Dyonisya gave this response on 5/15/2000:

__If they haven't asked a question before how do we know someone isn't sincerely seeking information until we answer and they respond?

__If they have asked a question before and responded negatively to the information given, then error on the side of caution and expect a possible negative response or don't answer their question.

__One can't learn unless they ask. One can't learn more unless they respond to a question.

__While I'll admit to being relatively new here, it's been my experience those who have a soap box will get on it and preach even if they don't have an audience. When they do have an audience they just get louder and louder. When the audience responds to them, they sometimes get annoying.

__If you honestly have/want to share a response to a question then do so. If you think it's pointless then don't.

__It really is that simple.

Peace... D.

Anonymous rated this answer a 5.

Thank you - there is a lot to be said for clarity.