Question by kiahsobyk .: What do you consider to be “open-minded” where religion is concerned?
My old axiom is “the only truly open mind is a clear one,” and it applies to my faith, as well.
Is being open-minded always a plus? Or does it make you a sucker sometimes?
Is being close-minded always a negative? Or are you so sure in your beliefs as to be factually removed from the exercise of reason?
Best answer:
Answer by rbl, rbl, btch, btch
“To have an open mind, no doors can be closed”
Think about it…
Give your answer to this question below!
I’d say the quote ” Be open-minded but not to the point where your brain will fall out ” works good.
you can describe someone as open-minded when they have seriously considered other religious options other than the one they were raised in. and from time to time, still are willing to consider ones differnet from their current faith.
being close-minded could potentially be an ok thing, but only if your belief system were so solid that you could afford to not let in any other info or perspectives. basically theres no religion on earth perfect enough to allow for that.
Open-minded means that you give all others respect and a considerate ear when they talk religion. You can be firm in your beliefs and still be open-minded.
I’m open when it comes to individuals!
As to religion though, I wouldn’t go quite that far.
I think giving people the benefit of the doubt is a good thing, but always tread carefully too.
Questioning isn’t being negative, only if you don’t gain any perspective from your doubt, then it can be a problem.
I question everything, and it works for me.
Open mindedness only means to be honest to me. That is what I hope to be, and to see in others. I seems ridiculous to ask in what situations we should be honest.
“7. SGI shall, based on the Buddhist spirit of tolerance, respect other religions, engage in dialogue and work together with them toward the resolution of fundamental issues concerning humanity.”
http://www.sgi-usa.org/aboutsgi/sgicharter.php SGI Charter.
Open mindedness has to be approached with common sense. Where do you draw the line – is it closed minded not to believe in goblins, fairies, etc? Of course not.
I totally agree – we should be open minded. But we should also expect some level of evidence to support concepts that we can be open minded about.
Actually, the Pantheist said it best – see above. Can’t argue with that.
That depends on how you define “open-minded”.
I’m open-minded in the sense that I’ll accept all PEOPLE, regardless of their faith or lack thereof, and as long as they’re nice to me, I’ll be willing to be their friend. =)
However, some people think I’m close-minded, because if somebody actively makes a reference to a religious belief I don’t agree with, I’ll feel free to point that out, and often I’ll debate them on it.
*I* don’t think that’s close-minded, however.
Why should religion demand such reverence and veneration, when other opinions such as politics don’t..? Religious people often make claims about reality that seem like complete nonsense, and they don’t have any evidence to back them up with. When they do that, OF COURSE I will point it out! How does that make ME a horrible person..?
As long as I still respect them, and as long as we can still be friends, I think that’s all that matters. 🙂
I think the enlightened Herd wants “open minded” religion to be relativity as far as Truth is concerned. If it feels good to me … I can do it and it is O.K. as it is MY truth … as there are of course no absolute truths … that sort of thing. Then we can all peacefully, and blissfully coexist and no one can ever be wrong. Self Worship. I’ll fit my religion and my god into a nice little box that suits me and my whims at the moment.
I don’t believe the term applies to the subject, except when used (always by the superstitious or in defense of superstition) as a euphemism for “just accept that people believe whatever they believe, no matter how silly it is”.
I’m no more open minded about the concept of a “god” or “gods” than I am about the concept of Santa Claus, Either one would require some pretty convincing evidence for me to change my mind.
any non religious spiritually open person is the most open minded
(hopefuly not sounding arrogant as i am one of those people)
religion can stop your growth of spirituality, becaue they have already told youthe answers, and that makes you, and they, beelvie you dont have tolook outside your own ‘religion’ for any more answers
how can that be open minded?
im no sucker
im open minded and cynical
i fidn it a plus because im learnign who i am AND what is not just what i want to exist
ithink being closed minded is always negative yes, it just leavs you literally “closed”
Believers can’t be open minded, their bible teaches them to be careful about all others and false prophets. So they are afraid to open their mind so that they can learn the truth about their own religion.
Being open-minded is to respect the others choises even though you do not agree with them. Put yourself in their shoe .How do you feel ?Do not force them to change unless they want to.Be agood example of what you want to convence them with.
Anyone that believes in a god has allowed their brain to fall out. That is an open mind as far as religion
1. The willingness to admit there could be a God or something out there or science could be right.
2. No, it is not always good. Like you said you can be a sucker and believe any and everything.
3. Seems being close minded would not allow you to believe anything, for you could not see anything like it should be viewed. For you would not be willing to accept anything. Not even what you see.
True open mindedness:
Before anyone argues either side, they should know both sides. And if all would seek out the truth of both, then all would be stronger in their belief. If someone was to seek God with all they are and then seek science with all they are or vice versa. This would be open minded and know both sides and be able to choose correctly.
take care and everyone should seek both to see for themselves.
Depends on how conservative you are in your religion, there are some Christians, mainly the eastern churches who are so conservative that anything that breaches their values and beliefs would be put down Immediately . Though there are modern counter parts to every religion that are more open and are willing to accept new ideas, such people are the future of their religions.
What Destine said, pretty much.
“as there are of course no absolute truths ” Oh, is that true? In fact then can I absolutely understand the English words you said in a construct absolutely called a sentence? Look when I press the d key woah it absolutely put down the character… Yeah great logic in that statement.
There is no “My” “Your” truth, IF something is true its true universally. This “My/Your” truth is cowardice, and even the very claim of “no absolute truths” is an absolute statement. The universe bears witness against you. The task is discovering What is true.
being an open-minded is mostly positive. but what is an open-minded?
the answer is, just not to live in the past and live in the time you are at.
that’s just it… live in the time you are at!
Religion and open minded doesn’t compute!
Religion and naive, does!
The way is narrow .. i think in this matter an open mind is a mind that knows not the lord … Jesus is available and people who know him will not yield …. listen to john at 2;20 minutes into this video he describes the problem you bring up here …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ZAYviwWzk