Got Questions

{{christianity}}
'''Got Questions''' is a
[[fundamentalist Christian]] ministry based on a question-and-answer format focusing on many of the big questions surrounding Christian doctrines, general [[religion]], [[science]], and what the [[Bible]] says about such things. It was founded by S. Michael Houdmann in February 2002. The website claims to have over 600,000 questions answered, and says that 75% of all questions asked will be answered "instantly." 

==Point of view== 

Got Questions is written from a typical (both theologically ''and'' politically) conservative Evangelical point of view, sometimes in a slightly snarky tone. To no surprise, Got Questions denies Darwinian [[evolution]],<ref>Got Questions: [http://www.gotquestions.org/flaws-theory-evolution.html What are some flaws in the theory of evolution?]</ref> supports [[Young Earth Creationism]] (although it does not view [[Old Earth creationism]] as heretical) and seems to be highly skeptical of [[anthropogenic global warming]].<ref>Got Questions: [http://www.gotquestions.org/global-warming.html How should a Christian view global warming?]</ref> The ministry is also highly supportive of [[Zionism]].<ref>Got Questions: [http://www.gotquestions.org/support-Israel.html Should Christians support the nation of Israel?]</ref>

Furthermore, the website claims that "[[Secularism]] permeates all facets of our society."<ref>Got Questions: [http://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-secularism.html What is secularism?]</ref> Also, ''Got Questions'' has apparently found the foolproof methodology of proving Christianity to be the only real correct religion among the approximately 4000 which exist today.<ref>Adherents.com: [http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html Major Religions of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents]</ref> This haphazard "framework" usually [[straw man|misrepresents]] every position that conflicts with theirs, among them being that [[Agnosticism|Agnostics]] don't believe in absolute [[truth]], [[Hinduism]] being [[Pantheism|Pantheistic]], and most importantly uses the [[Argument from first cause|Cosmological Argument]] as the ultimate "Gotcha!" in its supposedly conclusive proof. The more subtle errors usually revolve around simple philosophical aspects, the most blatant example being their claim that "absolute truth" is self-defeating simply because 2+2 = 4.<ref>Got Questions: [http://www.gotquestions.org/correct-religion.html With all of the different religions, how can I know which one is correct?]</ref><ref group=note>[[George Orwell|It's obviously 5.]]</ref> This [[Straw man]] attempts to imply that philosophical belief systems can be absolutely proven as Arithmetical truth.

The site also believes that instead of [[hormone replacement therapy]], reassignment surgery, or other forms of [[gender transition]],  [[transgender]] people should just get more Jesus, because according to them, [[gender dysphoria]] is just the devil feeding people lies. On top of that, they hold there are only two sexes and genders, citing {{bible|Genesis|1|27}}, so they deny the existence of [[intersex]] and [[Non-binary gender|non-binary]] people too. But what's really insidious is how they frame their message: they're not overtly negative and hateful, they frame dysphoria as if it's a body image issue akin to feeling you're too fat or clumsy, and they do offer sympathy and comforting Bible passages—but it's only so the site can convince trans readers to deny themselves gender-affirming care.<ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/born-wrong-gender.html Can a person be born with the wrong gender?]</ref>

The site frequently contradicts itself on its views on homosexuality, and in one article it claims Christians should not call themselves gay, while in another it is permissive of pastors identifying as gay. They say "practicing" homosexuality is a sin, but that homosexual people who don't express their sexuality are not "practicing homosexuality", and are "same-sex attracted", not gay, which adds to the confusion. They explicitly refuse to use the common definition of homosexuality in their articles, preferring to use the erroneous definition fundamentalist Christians use instead, and they don't try to make articles on the topic succinct.

Though the website says racism is a sin, some of its articles condone racist political policies, and the site can be xenophobic. It says that illegal immigration is a "sin"<ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/illegal-immigration.html What does the Bible say about illegal immigration?]</ref> and that Critical Race Theory is evil and against the gospel.<ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/critical-race-theory.html What is the critical race theory?]</ref> In general, the site upholds Republican viewpoints such as reducing social programs (or what the site calls "socialism") and a strong support of the second amendment. 

The site also has a sympathetic attitude towards Jack Chick, not at all addressing the paranoia and conspiracy theories found in his works. The only criticism they have is his kooky portrayal of Catholics, as even they admit the portrayal is off the rails, but they shrug it off, saying it's just a cartoon, which is apt, considering they themselves are anti-Catholic.

They are very critical about the [[Roman Catholic Church]], referring to them as idolatrous non-Christians<ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/pray-Father-Son-Spirit.html To whom are we to pray, the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit?]</ref> despite being a site dedicated to answering and defending content in a compilation of books that Roman Catholics canonized.

Got Questions is written from a [[Calvinist]] point of view, although it does acknowledge there are other points of view that are within the realms of orthodoxy. Other fundie websites, of course, criticise Houdmann for his Calvinist view, with one of them awarding him a Skull and Crossbones award.<ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.blog/s-michael-houdmann-false-teacher.html Is S. Michael Houdmann a false teacher?]</ref>

===Relative moderation===

Being grounded in orthodox conservative Protestant doctrine, Got Questions is generally more [[stopped clock|moderate]] than the variety of fundies seen on the internet, like [[Jack Chick]]'s ministry and [[jesus-is-savior]]. Its articles' tone is generally the most stable of the bunch. Got Questions is in line with big Evangelical lobbying groups like [[Focus on the Family]]: some of the views are nutters, but there is a modicum of maturity compared to isolated fringe groups. 

This makes for a long list of [[stopped clock]] moments, including:
* Condemning the charlatans in the [[prosperity gospel]] movement<ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/prosperity-gospel.html What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?]</ref>
* Condemning baseless conspiracy theories like accusations that a certain president is the [[Antichrist]] and belief in the [[Mandela Effect]]<ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/Barack-Obama-antichrist.html Is Barack Obama the antichrist?]</ref><ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/Mandela-Effect.html What is the Mandela Effect?]</ref>
* Condemning extreme beliefs like [[Dominionism]], [[KJV only]] and some [[Charismatic]] practices<ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-dominionism.html What is Christian dominionism?]</ref><ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/KJV-only.html What is the KJV Only movement?]</ref><ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/Charismatic-movement.html What is the Charismatic movement?]</ref>
* Condemning some excesses in the [[quiverfull]] movement<ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/Quiverfull-Patriarchy.html What are the Quiverfull and Patriarchy movements?]</ref> (while still accepting [[complementarianism|gender complementarianism]])
* Encouraging some flexibility and patience in parenting with regard to [[corporal punishment|corporal punishment of children]]<ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/rebellious-child.html What does the Bible say to do with a rebellious child?]</ref>
* Not disliking the Jews but thankfully clarifying why the world hates the Jews: Because the world hates God.<ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/anti-Semitism.html What is the cause of all the anti-Semitism in the world?]</ref> Draw your own conclusions
* Condemning Angelica Zambrano's claims of going to hell.<ref>Got Questions: https://www.gotquestions.org/Angelica-Zambrano.html</ref>

==Thank God for SEO==

Got Questions's branch of Christianity is not representative of the majority of Christendom in the world or throughout history. Its Protestant beliefs are at odds with those of the most historical churches, like the [[Catholic]] and [[Eastern Orthodox]] churches. So why, then, is it almost always the first website that pops up when you search for a Bible question?

Part of the answer is that Got Questions does good Search Engine Optimization. As a result, despite representing a small minority of Christendom, it ranks higher than comparable sites like Catholic Answers. 

{{quotebox|So, we began to pray, how can we prevent people from visiting these unbiblical sites? In response to our prayers, God led us to search engine optimization. ... God has blessed our efforts...<ref>Got Questions: [https://www.gotquestions.org/history.html History]</ref>}}

==External links==
*[http://gotquestions.org/ Got Questions' official website]
*[https://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/got-questions.htm He's] [https://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/images/eternal-security-houdmann-pr.pdf too] [https://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/Gods-forgiveness.htm nice] [https://www.newsbreak.com/news/1346819430091/gotquestions-org-versus-the-truth-about-eternal-security-and-backsliders-offered-by-evangelical-outreach-director-dan-corner for] [https://wmcgrew.blogspot.com/2015/07/got-questions-s-michael-houdmann-is-not.html some] [http://www.freepublicitygroup.com/news/release-dan-corner-author-evangelical-outreach-eternal-security-backsliders-apr119/ people].

==Notes==
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==References==
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[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Christian apologists]]
[[Category:Creationists]]
[[Category:Denialist websites]]
[[Category:Fundamentalist Christian websites]]
[[Category:Homophobes]]
[[Category:Transphobes]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience promoting organizations]]
[[Category:Immigration]]
[[Category:Gun control]]
[[Category:Anti-Catholicism]]
[[Category:Racists]]
[[Category:Purity culture]]
[[Category:Xenophobes]]
[[Category:Webshites]]

Categories: Conspiracy theorists, Christian apologists, Creationists, Denialist websites, Fundamentalist Christian websites, Homophobes, Transphobes, Organizations, Pseudoscience promoting organizations, Immigration, Gun control, Anti-Catholicism, Racists, Purity culture, Xenophobes, Webshites