[nitrogen]

If it was never okay to as questions, then any discussion ever could be shut down with "personal belief". If some beliefs can be examined and others are deemed too sensitive, then eventually the untouchable beliefs multiply and take over all discussions.

Beliefs are meant to be examined and evaluated, not coddled.

[Intermernet]

Yep, but make sure you conduct your examination and evaluation in a polite and civil manner. Otherwise you're just being contrarian and rude.

I believe in free speech, but I also believe that rude, insulting, thoughtless or incendiary speech deserves to be soundly ignored.

[Pfhreak]

I didn't say you had to coddle someone, but it's equally clear you asked the question with the intent of being a dick, not to actually engage with the parent poster. "Haha, look how superior my intellect is, did you even think about water?!" is materially different than exploring and questioning someone's belief.

[bluntfang]

Surely there's a difference between asking a question and saying things to be an asshole. Let's all strive to be less of an asshole as a society, ok?