Yahoo! Answers is a place where you can ask real questions and get real answers on any topic. It’s a community-based service where you jump in and share answers to questions you know while other people answer your questions. Topics range from scientific questions with definitive answers like, Why does helium make your voice sound high?” to not-so-serious questions with opinionated answers like, “Who is the best rock guitarist ever?”
How does this relate to trends in Christian communication?
Well, there is a Religion & Spirituality section where people are asking just about every spiritual question imaginable:
- How can I feel God’s presence in my life?
- Do you believe that Jesus Christ’s descendants are among us?
- What do you believe about the afterlife?
In some ways it’s kind of sad the way people are looking to unknown strangers for the answers to life’s deepest questions. But this is the trend in our culture today. Surveys show that people are more likely to believe “someone like me” than an expert or authority figure who may have an agenda. So, this is an opportunity for Christians to present the truth to people who seem to be genuinely seeking truth.
This is not small potatoes either. Last month Yahoo! Answers reached 10 million answers only 5 months after its launch. Additionally, Yahoo! now includes Answers in its regular search results, which gives it a huge audience. Type any of the following questions into yahoo.com and you’ll see Yahoo! Answers in the results:
- Why does God have to be continuously praised?
- Why is Islam such a violent religion?
- How did animals repopulate the world after the “Great Flood”?
When you head over to Yahoo! Answers, here are a few words of advice:
- Speak lovingly. Many non-Christians have a stereotypical belief that Christians are close-minded and arrogant. Don’t fuel that belief.
- Be brief. People aren’t looking for a six-page theological dissertation. Try to answer the question in just a few sentences.
- Include a link. When you post an answer, there is a place where you can enter your source. Post a link to a relevant Christian web page on the subject, or even a Christian forum where that question is being discussed. Yahoo! Answers is not designed for dialog. By posting a link, you give people a chance to explore the question further in a Christian setting that does encourage dialog and relationship building.
- Beware of using too much religious jargon that may confuse a non-believer.
- Avoid arguments. They are ineffective in this setting. Gently state the truth in love as I mentioned before, and give the Holy Spirit a chance to work.
After you’ve visited Yahoo! Answers, post a comment about your experience. What do you think of the questions being asked there? Did you post any answers? Do you think you’ll visit Yahoo! Answers regularly in the future?
In His Service,
Paul Steinbrueck
OurChurch.Com
Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com
Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization.
An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org.
Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication.
22 Comments
TRULY FORGIVEN EVER ONE IN YOUR LIFE, THEN GO TO GOD AND ASK HIM TO FORGIVEN YOU, AND THEN YOU WILL SEE!
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I have a question for all seventh day adventists : If you had to crash onto a remote island, and wake up after an unknown length of unconsciousness, how would you decide which day is the proper sabbath ? And if you got it wrong, and subsequently kept the wrong day, how do you think God would react to this ? (Assumes you have no watch etc to tell the day)
How did satan decide to go against God?I didnt think angels could choose anything else but to do what God says for them to do.
god gave all angels free will as god gave us humanbeing.satan had too much pride and want to show off his beauty i bet i look beautiful than satan.i donot know what satan told 1/3of the angels who fell for his evil scheme they all will pay at the end.it no fun when jesus got the floor.
Really inspired with these inspirational comments and views. Thanks
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What do you do when you let to many people into your private life only to find that the people you confided in is not truly a friend and only exploited your reputation as a christian. And what do you do when you have been exhausted in everyway and have no where to go or no Pastor to watch over you. But you still here God telling you to Go because he has filled you with his spirit down on the inside what do you do?
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Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass’ favor.