Are Christians Closed-Minded?

[rookiebatman]

I was raised in a Christian family, and I was a committed Christian for all of my young life, as was my older brother (he still is). One day when I was in high school, I was reading something about Christianity that troubled me, so I walked into my brother's room and asked him if we, as Christians, were (or should be) closed-minded. He thought about it for a moment and said, "yes."

If you are a Christian, do you believe (without any positive or negative value judgment for the moment) that you are closed-minded?

Jesus said, "blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believed." As a mirror-image to my other thread about whether skepticism is a sin, do you believe that being closed to other possibilities (other than God existing and Jesus being his risen son) is virtuous?

If you are a former Christian, do you believe that you were closed-minded while you were a Christian, and if so, do you believe that your leaving the church was a direct result of you becoming open-minded?

[Wissing]

[Replying to post 48 by rookiebatman]

No citations on any other fronts, so this sounds like the best way of moving forward. I'll start one up.

I won't say you have to read Hitchens' whole book, but I think you may find it helpful in supporting whatever claims you might make. I'll see what I can find about Mother Theresa. Let's take our time on this - don't feel pressured to respond immediately. I'm sure we both have busy lives.

Here's the link:

http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... hp?t=27253

[Wissing]

[Replying to post 47 by Zzyzx]

Zzyzx, it thrills me to hear that you have experience on the matter, and have offered a positive solution to the problem of substandard housing in Appalachia. I myself am in the process of trying to start up a business, in hopes of resolving some of the problems of unemployment. However, I've found it to be far more difficult that I expected. I'm sure, since you're much more experienced than me, that you can offer some insight into entrepreneurship, and how it might in fact be the root solution to the problem I have stated.

Unfortunately, right now I have agreed to discuss another topic with someone, and I have limited time. However, down the road, I would love to discuss this further with you. Thanks!

[rookiebatman]

I'm sure we both have busy lives.

Speak for yourself.

[Wissing]

[Replying to post 53 by rookiebatman]

Not busy? Maybe you and Zzyzx can start up an industry in Appalachia!

[rookiebatman]

[Replying to post 53 by rookiebatman]
Not busy? Maybe you and Zzyzx can start up an industry in Appalachia!

Those are mountains, right? That sounds cold. I'm always up for a promising business opportunity, but if it's in a cold area, count me out.

[Zzyzx]

.

Maybe you and Zzyzx can start up an industry in Appalachia!

W..g, I have a small (tiny) business in the Ozark region of Arkansas " an area that shares some characteristics with Appalachia. In my personal woodworking shop a young partner and I make some products for niche markets. One example is a wooden handled cutting wheel for leather crafters and hobbyists.

I am not at all profit motivated (almost break even) while she makes enough to help pay her bills. There are some indications that the business might need to expand (and become "legitimate"), in which case I will step out of the picture (at least the foreground) and hire a couple friends who are capable of such work.

This may not make a great contribution to local economy, but such cottage industries created repeatedly can make a difference. Part of the process is being open minded to possibilities and opportunities " while not trying to "keep all the cookies" for one's self.

Of course, theistic position has no bearing on any of the above (and friends do not discuss such matters in my presence). With my hearing being what it is, I probably couldn't hear them anyway (but could dispense with it if necessary).

Those are mountains, right? That sounds cold. I'm always up for a promising business opportunity, but if it's in a cold area, count me out.

Here in Arkansas I was wearing shorts and a T shirt yesterday afternoon. Today it turned cold (just below freezing this evening) and that is predicted for several days. Winters are quite mild with only rare snow, but summer can be hot and humid.

[Danmark]

[Replying to post 36 by Danmark]

Danmark, I don't doubt that many Christians are Republicans, but you've made a few rather large claims by linking Christianity to Republicanism, and also by demonizing Republicans, and also by implying that Jesus' teachings suggest that taxes should be raised on the rich. I would like you to provide citations to your sources of information for these claims, so that myself and others can better understand your theory.

I have previously, on this forum, cited the fact that Christians tend to be Republican. Do you doubt that? Also, is there any doubt that Jesus spoke frequently about helping the poor, the needy, the outcast? I don't want to bother proving either of these propositions unless you genuinely disagree with them.

In the meantime:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/118937/repub ... gious.aspx

[Peds nurse]

.

I have never had the desire to search other beliefs. It isn't due to being close minded, it has more to do with being without a doubt convinced that God is who he says he is.

How is that any different from saying, "I use XYZ laundry detergent because I know it is best. I have not tried any others and have not read Consumer Reports because I know it is best because its advertising says so"?

I understand what you are saying, and I would even agree with you, when it comes to consumable products, but that can't really apply to relationships. When I say my husband is the best for me, it would not be likely for me to try out all husbands to make that be true. God is real to me, and I have a real relationship with Him. I can't try out other Gods, to make sure mine is valid.

[rookiebatman]

Here in Arkansas I was wearing shorts and a T shirt yesterday afternoon. Today it turned cold (just below freezing this evening) and that is predicted for several days. Winters are quite mild with only rare snow, but summer can be hot and humid.

Ain't nothin' mild about snow, no matter how rare it is.

(I think I've taken the joke as far as it need go, I won't distract from my own thread any further.)

[Zzyzx]

.

How is that any different from saying, "I use XYZ laundry detergent because I know it is best. I have not tried any others and have not read Consumer Reports because I know it is best because its advertising says so"?

I understand what you are saying, and I would even agree with you, when it comes to consumable products, but that can't really apply to relationships.

If we say that someone is My Best Friend are we not applying evaluation / comparison to relationships?

When I say my husband is the best for me, it would not be likely for me to try out all husbands to make that be true.

I do not disagree (particularly regards such personal matters).

In my own thinking and decisions the word "best" denotes a comparison.

God is real to me, and I have a real relationship with Him. I can't try out other Gods, to make sure mine is valid.

I understand that as being characteristic of religions in general. Very few people do "comparison shopping" for gods " but simply pick the one (or have it chosen for them) that is popular in their culture and with their family and friends. Most then declare their choice to be real " typically "the only true god."

People born and raised in Iran choose different gods and/or religions than do people from Israel, or India or the US. Cultural preferences are highly correlated to choice of gods and religions. All, of course, are convinced that they have picked the right one (among thousands of gods and tens of thousands of religions) and are often willing to kill or die for their religious beliefs (as we see in the news constantly) " and perhaps attempt to convince others to accept those beliefs.