So Many "Open Minded" Opionions

[nvxplorer]

Originally Posted by Wendell Phillips

You will come across many perverse characters. They are stubborn, and, for the most part, stupid and small-minded. They have fixed opinions about everything (which, more often than not, are not right), and never change their mind about anything; for nothing can convince them that they are wrong. Their principal character traits are arrogance and intolerance. They are egocentric; they care not for the greater good, but only for themselves. Indeed, they would (if they could) have the world ordered to their own liking. They are greedy, stingy and meanspirited. They are inflexible; and, likewise, they never compromise, and always insist on having everything their way. There is no dealing with them. Such persons are stumbling blocks in the road of life, and are best avoided.

Very poetic, and I agree completely. Now, what does this have to do with the OP?

[turkey-head]

Originally Posted by KiteAtNight

We in this day find a wide variety of people and opinions. Some are carried along with as people move about the world, some are regional and some are political. Each is valuable but I wonder if all are honest? What I am asking is not so much directed to being honest with others but with yourself.

What specifically I am referring is that so many are stating things like, "progressive, agnostic and open minded" but in my opinion they are not being open minded when they describe themselves in such detail. They are saying that if in reality you want to have a discussion then you had better be a progressive agnostic or they aren't going to be open minded.

When I meet people for the first time the first two statements I make about myself are not about politics or religion. I talk about my appreciation for the arts, love of travel, enjoyment for bicycling and things like this. Generally unless I am asked and know the person asking I leave politics and religion out of my conversations.

So why is it that those who are progressive and agnostic or atheist most always lead with that mantra? How can someone who is "open minded" be so closed minded about two very important subjects to people? Are they afraid to be in a conversation and someone taking part might not be in favor of taxing or social causes the way they do and then they would feel attacked or out of place? If someone they like actually was involved with a family of faith and used the work God they would feel like they had to either leave or attack them so they could maintain their standing as "open"?

It seems so ridiculous to me but I think I want to hear from others so I can learn more about your thoughts and feeling related to this.

Please read up on confirmation bias. You may come to understand yourself better.

[Wendell Phillips]

Contrary to the proverb, it is not for the love of money, but religion that is the root of all evil. As the Christian philosopher Blaise Pascal put it: "Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction."

[kool hand luke]

Unfortunately, many people on this website take PERSONAL offense if you disagre with them. They will respond with insults, sarcasm, and a general attitude of "hatred". This is an extreme reaction, and not just by a few. This tells me that many people out there are walking around everyday filled with insecurity and anger.

[lucknow]

I can accept "open minded" positions and arguments on most issues but only if such opinions are based on the facts. Many times I have accused of being "close minded" when in fact that is not the case. If the facts of the case show that you are wrong, misguided or deceived, I'm most likely not going to either agree with you or even accept your opinion as having any validity.

[Know Nonsense]

It seems the vast majority of the population of the U.S. is clearly quite deficient in critical and objective thinking abilities and it is only getting more deficient of objectivity. Current generation is conditioned by media and schools to act and behave in a certain "progressive" way that has little grounding in proven fact. They are quick to join a herd of some type but fail to see the picture from the other side.

The balance is always off. If people did learn to think objectively and respectfully there could be balance but until then they are just playing a game that is impossible to win. They are only small cogs in a big dysfunctional machine. It is actually the ones who know how to use a monkey wrench that make a difference.

[rbohm]

Originally Posted by Nick538

I consider myself Agnostic yet I respect the Judeo-Christian foundations of our nation. I don't know if there is a God but I respect those who believe in Him. I admire those who do good works and show kindness, even if their charity is a result of their fear of punishment or hope for a reward. I have a strong sense of morality and I admire this in others.

Apparently, it sounds like you need to stop wasting your time hanging out with narrow minded, hypocritical people.

BTW, I despise atheists.

i fixed it for you. i have met people from a variety of political persuasions, and have found that there are narrow minded hypocritical people of all persuasions, not just liberal or progressive.

Originally Posted by nvxplorer

You're agnostic, and you respect believers but despise atheists? Why?

perhaps because believers tend to be more accepting of others religious beliefs?

[TheDusty]

I'm agnostic, and despite that not being the case here, I never start with that unless the discussion calls for it. Generally, I keep my religious views completely private unless people ask. I'm somewhat open about my political views in general conversation, though I think if I don't explicitly state what I am, people would just assume I'm a moderate, which is true even though I consider myself to be a liberal.

Open mindedness is a touchy subject these days. I think people assume it means agreeing with everyone and never expressing any kind of disagreement. But that's not how it works. Open mindedness is simply the ability to listen to other ideas and to respect the right of others to think the way they do. For example, evolution/creationism. I was open to the idea of Biblical creation when I was younger. I respect the fact that people have the right to believe Genesis is literally true. But that doesn't mean I have to say it makes sense. It doesn't. Genesis is not literally true and any scientifically literate person knows this to be a fact. If that's close minded, then fine, I'm close minded. However, I have no problem whatsoever with people believing in God and would even say a God could possibly exist. Now the people who believe Genesis to be literally true don't often express the same level of understanding in my disbelief and skepticism as I do with their views.

I would like to finish off by saying this: do you ever notice how people only call others out on being close minded when they disagree?

[rbohm]

Originally Posted by TheDusty

I'm agnostic, and despite that not being the case here, I never start with that unless the discussion calls for it. Generally, I keep my religious views completely private unless people ask. I'm somewhat open about my political views in general conversation, though I think if I don't explicitly state what I am, people would just assume I'm a moderate, which is true even though I consider myself to be a liberal.

Open mindedness is a touchy subject these days. I think people assume it means agreeing with everyone and never expressing any kind of disagreement. But that's not how it works. Open mindedness is simply the ability to listen to other ideas and to respect the right of others to think the way they do. For example, evolution/creationism. I was open to the idea of Biblical creation when I was younger. I respect the fact that people have the right to believe Genesis is literally true. But that doesn't mean I have to say it makes sense. It doesn't. Genesis is not literally true and any scientifically literate person knows this to be a fact. If that's close minded, then fine, I'm close minded. However, I have no problem whatsoever with people believing in God and would even say a God could possibly exist. Now the people who believe Genesis to be literally true don't often express the same level of understanding in my disbelief and skepticism as I do with their views.

I would like to finish off by saying this: do you ever notice how people only call others out on being close minded when they disagree?

even though you and i tend to disagree a lot, i had to rep you for this post as it is well written.