Why is it that people no longer use the Religion & Spiritually section to ask rational questions?

Lower minded people took over, leaving the section with less higher minded people.

Because sites like reddit offer far better community moderation.

Try:

r/askanatheist

r/askachristian

r/debatereligion

Because most of the rational people left due to the trolls.

There is nothing rational about religion...

Spiritually speaking, the community of R&S has changed. I was more active 7 years ago and it was very different. There were still trolls about, but I saw more legitimate questions from both theists and atheists. Still a lot of fighting and disagreements back then, but also a lot more real dialogue and dissecting arguments. Now it seems like half the questions I respond to end up getting deleted after a few hours. 

We were even allowed to message people privately which led to some really cool discussions. Now people can hid themselves and be "anonymous." That's not cool.

Some people do, and some people still give honest answers.

If the people who use this section wanted rational questions, they'd ask them. The current atmosphere of trolling is what people want here. 

Well ...you just did...Thank you!

I whole heartedly agree with "Juli" ...I think about it every time I am in this section.

And I read that YA would like suggestions as to how to improve .... REALLY?

They remove stupid things that they don't agree with dealing with conservatism and yet R&S is predominantly a sewer.  

The preponderance of irrational responses.

Most who are smart give little significance to the stupidity offered and look for those who actually have something of interest and some intelligence.