Open or Closed Mind?
September 24th 2007 04:34
This post won't work on it's own, I do admit, I need your help.
I've been thinking about this for awhile now and wondering if this was the best format to open up some good old honest dialogue about an interesting question.
Who is more open minded, Atheists or theists (I use the term theist on the basis that I felt it was the most neutral and least discriminating)?
I'm not going to write what I think. At least, not yet. I have an answer in mind at the moment, but I want to keep it there for a moment.
JZ
That's what got written about three weeks ago, and the answers below are I have to admit, not everything that I had expected. Not in a bad way, but part of me was waiting for someoen to absolutely hammer christians or muslims for being close minded as far as other religions go, or sexuality, morality etc etc. I'm not disappointed that no one took a verbal swing, but I was thinking it would happen.
As far as Jeff and Angela have said, they believe that the atheist has the more closed mind. Chesterton would agree. In a way that only he could say, which is that theist tries to fit his head into the heavens and enjoy it, where the atheist tries to force the heavens into his head and the head splits.
I do however, have to admit that I respect a sincere atheist. They are not always easy to find, but good when you do.
My own take on this is that we're pretty much both as close minded as each other. Most of the time.
I promise to write another post on this, to better state my case.
JZ
I've been thinking about this for awhile now and wondering if this was the best format to open up some good old honest dialogue about an interesting question.
Who is more open minded, Atheists or theists (I use the term theist on the basis that I felt it was the most neutral and least discriminating)?
I'm not going to write what I think. At least, not yet. I have an answer in mind at the moment, but I want to keep it there for a moment.
JZ
That's what got written about three weeks ago, and the answers below are I have to admit, not everything that I had expected. Not in a bad way, but part of me was waiting for someoen to absolutely hammer christians or muslims for being close minded as far as other religions go, or sexuality, morality etc etc. I'm not disappointed that no one took a verbal swing, but I was thinking it would happen.
As far as Jeff and Angela have said, they believe that the atheist has the more closed mind. Chesterton would agree. In a way that only he could say, which is that theist tries to fit his head into the heavens and enjoy it, where the atheist tries to force the heavens into his head and the head splits.
I do however, have to admit that I respect a sincere atheist. They are not always easy to find, but good when you do.
My own take on this is that we're pretty much both as close minded as each other. Most of the time.
I promise to write another post on this, to better state my case.
JZ
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Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
I know.
Now all I need is for someone to try and answer it.
JZ
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Very very difficult question Josh and I one I do not have the capability nor knowledge nor profundity to answer but I'll try to respond according to what I feel/felt reading the question.
At first glance and thought, I'd say an atheist does because by denying the existance of God they 'erase' the peripheries of life...the 'boundaries' within which we exist.
For to have belief in God is to exist within a doctrine. A 'doctrine' has 'rules'.
If there is no God...there is no heaven, no 'hell'...no unseen omnipresent force to guide us, judge us...to answer to.
I'm not saying there's no consequences and no ethic sense of right and wrong. No, morality is a different kettle of fish. (what does that mean??)...
The atheist is completely in charge of his/her destiny so their minds are free to roam far and wide. They're in control. They have no mental boundaries. They are completely open minded.
Except they don't believe in the existence of God.
Hmmm...
...but....I can't really say...I have no idea how an atheist thinks.
For me, my life without my belief in God is unthinkable. I believe in what I do not have to see. That's what makes me...I believe...open minded.
Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity
Comment by Amanda 1
Abnormal Melancholy
If the claims of theism cannot be proven true - than those who refrain from claiming theism are firmly rooted in truth. The real benefit of atheism is the lack of concern of other's beliefs.