Why do so many people don’t understand why one would post a question with a Theist-only” headliner?

Because this is a public forum

Asking a certain class of people to NOT respond is almost challenging them to pipe in.

It is like putting a "Keep Off the Grass" sign on your lawn. Someone is bound to start walking on it

Do read the Guidelines for this site.

Not answering the question, and insulting other participants are among the violations. Whenever you see a violation of the Guidelines, click Report It and submit the resulting form.

As for specifics, if it's really a theist-only question, I tend not to respond. (For instance, asking about interpretation of scriptures -- I'm not going to say "It's fiction." or some other irrelevant thing.)

On the other hand, I just got Best for answering a question that was labelled "Christian only" -- but it was a personal matter, and no one else had said what I thought was important.

By answering, I helped the person. (My anser did include their talking to someone they respect, such as a pastor, about the religious aspects of their situation.)

I've also answered other questions not directed to me, such as "Men..."

If you're going to criticize atheists for answering theist-only questions, then you should also condemn the religious for answering questions directed to atheists.

I've seen gabunches of questions here, from theists, asking atheists what we think about this or that, only to see dozens of answers "Atheist just love their sin." or "They'll all burn." etc.

All too often, the person who CLAIMED to be interested in what we had to say, picks one of those non-answers instead of one of the thoughtful, complete, relevant answers.

Both the people who answered, and the asker who picked Best, were all wrong in those cases.

Just saying....

As a person who definately uses those labels - the answer is simple.

Trolling, blow off steam, "wouldn't dare do this in real life so let me yell at folks over the internet." Etc.

I guarantee you, your probably going to get a number of responses that dodges your question like

1.) Who made you police/moral authority?

2.) If you don't like it here, leave. etc.

3.) This is a public forum, my right to free speech...etc.

4.) Random remark to piss you off.

And why? Because its all tied to emotions, not reason.

Your trying to rationalize emotion. Its impossible.

Just ignore the others and pick the answer that you believe is best. Like the other guy said its a public forum.

Some view it as an invitation to answer a question not directed toward them just to stir up people like you. Ya just hafta let it go man!

Most people don't know what a theist is and who really cares about the answers they get back, it's not like anyone actually tells you something you don't know.

I think everyone understands it, it's just that this is a public message board and such subject lines simply guarantee that others will respond.

perhaps a christian forum with only like-minded people would be better for you

Probably they are looking for a follower.