I'm in the same boat as you, porshacat. I try to answer questions knowledgably and as fully as I can. There are some questions that I know I can't give a meaningful answer to, and these I will not even attempt. It is offputting when I then see a not-helpful rating against my answer. The area where this seems to be most prevalent is in the religious section and I now don't venture there because people seem to have a less open mind. It is a loss for everyone because I know I am not the only one who could add to discussions but doesn't want the aggrevation of being down-rated for giving an honest opinion. I stated in another question that if I don't like an answer I will not rate it, and it is very seldom that I find any answer to be not helpful in generic terms. I like your question, though, so I have rated you helpful and I hope that others see and understand that they cause real hurt and misery by down-rating without good reason. I actually want to thank Soothseeker at this point, because they downrated me for another answer, but explained their action so I can mend my ways in the future. Now that is positive action. Thank you.