Why answer a question when you know the asker doesn't want to hear your answer?

Because there are others here who may benefit. I don't answer trying to get "best answer", I answer so those ready to hear reason will have something to read. Otherwise, all that would be here is pandering and theistic nonsense.

Well, for one thing, I've been surprised before. There have been times where the asker, while seeming Quite angry at first, Thanked me for my answer later.

Also, in general, there are more IDs/users involved than just myself and the asker. So, Especially when someone is Clearly trying to run someone/something, Especially me/my beliefs, into the Ground, I see it as my chance to give an Answer to ALL who view the question.

EDiT

Wow, I get to give Frog E a Thumbs Up, Cool:D

I am a Christian, one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I think, around 80% of the "questions" I see now supposedly to/about Witnesses are really just rants, and I realise that quite often the asker will pick a rude answer, that supports their views, BUT, as I said before, I Still think it's a good idea to give a Correct answer, and whether they REALLY want my opinion or not, if someone asks for it, I'm quite likely to give it.

A few times now I've even seen an ID run itself into the ground, because it becomes Quite Clear to ALL who care that the user isn't REALLY asking questions, but just ranting.

I usually answer the questions for the benefit of other people who might read the answers. I know the person asking is just a troll, but maybe someone who is reading the answers really does want to know the answer to a question.

why bother asking a question when youre only looking for a certain type of answer? at least some of the people reading the question and answers will have many different views by the end of the page

i agree with you on many levels, but i don't think best answer is the goal here of this website

i don't care if i get to level 7, y!a is a good outlet for my thoughts, and i sure as hell have learned a lot, thanks to those who answered questions even if the asker was biased

Cuz other people besides the asker read the answers. And yeah of course they are gonna pick whoever agrees with em. That's human nature.

Mostly because Yahoo Answers isn't their blog. People sometimes get these questions and answers when they do a search on google, and all the answers (including the non-chosen) are shown. There needs to be some representation.

Because it's not all about the asker

I have used Yahoo Answers before about questions that i had that someone already asked and just read the answers they got

That kind of question gives you the opportunity to be a smart-****. Don't waste the opportunity.

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Heh, I've just learned that yahoo doesn't like the word, 'a r s e.'

Cuz you never know when it will be you having that one thing to say that will reach the asker and change their opinion. I think most of us all want to be that one person that changes the mind of another.