How can I become more open minded?

Once a person really is born again they have the Holy Spirit and are in a new family line. You can't just stop being a Christian like you've changed your mind about what shoes you're going to wear, it's more complicated than that.

Alan

Welcome to my world. I'm anxious about this stuff all the time. Listen, Christians are called to have a renewed mind free of sin, not an "open" mind. I'm young and I'm going to have to deal with these people for the rest of my life, it scares me and constantly gives me anxiety. But I will never surrender my faith for the sake of making friends. Have faith in God and let Him lead you to people, whether they're liberals or otherwise. And if they ask why you think what you do, just explain to them how you really are. I have trouble with hating liberals because I don't meet many in real life. But meeting people that are different from you in real life helps you to see those people as people, not as just opinions. Pray for those that disagree with you and don't be so pessimistic about becoming a social outcast.

Destiny2015 said:

Specifically as it pertains to Christianity?

It seems I am becoming more and more conservative as the years go on, or more likely the world is becoming more progressive while I stand still.

I was raised Methodist, but never became comfortable with female pastors. I'm not comfortable with the redefinition of marriage that's been happening. I'm still staunchy pro-life.

I started thinking about this because it's almost Halloween, something I've never celebrated. I don't like the celebration of death and darkness and evil. I won't through about Scripture against pretending to be a witch, but - you know it's out there. I won't pretend that everything I does glorifies God, although I try, and Halloween seems to do the opposite. Anyway, I had a "discussion" with a friend about it recently, and she couldn't understand how I could attend a church known for progressiveness, and have such conservative thoughts on Halloween.

So in short, how can I become more "liberal" or "progressive" in my own personal view of Christianity? I don't fit in anymore, and I don't mean in a "in the world but not of the world" sense. I mean I don't even know any Christians who are becoming more and more conservative like me. What's wrong with me?

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I share your feelings also. It is normal quite frankly. As our culture invades our churches more n more with Humanism concepts and philosophies, its going to require the Christian to choose which path to walk down. The Bible says that many will fall away and that their love for the lord will become cool ... as in less motivation to nurture a relationship with God. If you find yourself b eing more conservative regarding values, morals, ethics its because the American Society has grown more reprobate , with more crime, and Godless living ; the fact you have stayed firm shows you are not a follower of such reprobate thinking and you desire to truly live for Christ. Yes, feeling this kind of alienation is a good thing and the NT said it would happen . Rejoice in it that your not being controlled by sin anymore as you watch sin escalate as part of our culture.

I'm just going to toss in my nickel (Canada doesn't have pennies to make two cents anymore and our dollar is so low it takes a nickel to make two American cents - lol!). Anyway, hold onto your values. It's okay to have conservative values. How to be more open minded is that you are given the right to believe what you believe, and hold those conservative values...and understand that you must extend that same right to others who do not hold your values. They have the same rights you do - the right to live and believe as they see fit.

I've also personally discovered that when I hold a conservative value on something, it is important for me to go and learn about the other side. For example, I am pro-life and chose for myself that I would never have an abortion. I value my right to choose to not abort, so to not be "hypocritical," I had to extend that same right to choose to everyone else as well. Along with that, I came to realize that I would by far rather see women obtain abortion in the hospital rather than some dark alley with a rusted out coat hanger - and then have that woman's life in jeopardy as a result. For me, it became about "reducing the harm" of people's decisions. So educating yourself about the opposing view is an important piece of being more open minded; this also increases your compassion for those who are not like you.

The best way to become open minded, is not to become a closed minded...

Mt 7:14 is sad but true. Hold to what know to be true and remember Mt 28. You are certainly NOT alone in your feelings and assessment of your situation. ICL.

Destiny2015 said:

So in short, how can I become more "liberal" or "progressive" in my own personal view of Christianity? I don't fit in anymore, and I don't mean in a "in the world but not of the world" sense. I mean I don't even know any Christians who are becoming more and more conservative like me. What's wrong with me?

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There's nothing wrong with you. The Lord does not expect you to become liberal, progressive or open-minded. Your "view of Christianity" should be solidly grounded in Scripture, not the winds of doctrine that are blowing about. So hang in there, and if you are accused of being "narrow-minded" consider it a badge of honor.

BTW liberalism (whether social, political or theological) is essentially an escape from reality, and generally leads to TYRANNY. Observe closely what left-liberal Obama is up to. So there is nothing liberal about liberals.

NothingTE="Destiny2015, post: 68688809, member: 356959"]Specifically as it pertains to Christianity?

It seems I am becoming more and more conservative as the years go on, or more likely the world is becoming more progressive while I stand still.




I was raised Methodist, but never became comfortable with female pastors. I'm not comfortable with the redefinition of marriage that's been happening. I'm still staunchy pro-life.

I started thinking about this because it's almost Halloween, something I've never celebrated. I don't like the celebration of death and darkness and evil. I won't through about Scripture against pretending to be a witch, but - you know it's out there. I won't pretend that everything I does glorifies God, although I try, and Halloween seems to do the opposite. Anyway, I had a "discussion" with a friend about it recently, and she couldn't understand how I could attend a church known for progressiveness, and have such conservative thoughts on Halloween.

So in short, how can I become more "liberal" or "progressive" in my own personal view of Christianity? I don't fit in anymore, and I don't mean in a "in the world but not of the world" sense. I mean I don't even know any Christians who are becoming more and more
conservative like me. What's
wrong with me?[/QUOTE] nothing is wrong with u. Just because some Christians embrace worldly standards doesn't make it right of something u should attain to do.
Noth

The word of God is the word of God, and its meaning doesn't change because of a different interpretation from man. There is no "progressive" or "liberal" point of view of the scripture. They are what they are and you must take them as they are or leave them as they are but someones different viewpoint of them can't change them to what they would like them to be. You can embrace whatever standards you wish and try to justify them accordingly but the Word of God does not change as a matter of convenience to fit a persons views.

Galatians 6:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.

Blessings,

Alan

Destiny2015 said:

Specifically as it pertains to Christianity?

It seems I am becoming more and more conservative as the years go on, or more likely the world is becoming more progressive while I stand still.

I was raised Methodist, but never became comfortable with female pastors. I'm not comfortable with the redefinition of marriage that's been happening. I'm still staunchly pro-life.

I started thinking about this because it's almost Halloween, something I've never celebrated. I don't like the celebration of death and darkness and evil. I won't through about Scripture against pretending to be a witch, but - you know it's out there. I won't pretend that everything I does glorifies God, although I try, and Halloween seems to do the opposite. Anyway, I had a "discussion" with a friend about it recently, and she couldn't understand how I could attend a church known for progressiveness, and have such conservative thoughts on Halloween.

So in short, how can I become more "liberal" or "progressive" in my own personal view of Christianity? I don't fit in anymore, and I don't mean in a "in the world but not of the world" sense. I mean I don't even know any Christians who are becoming more and more conservative like me. What's wrong with me?

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Ask yourself what it means to be openminded and why you wish yourself to be that?

Is it to please you, someone else or God.

As for celebration, life is a celebration. Why would you wish to feed the facilitators of a holiday and celebrate any secular holiday. You have to purchase a costume you will wear only one day. You will have to purchase candy that will be given out under the threat of you giving someone a treat or they will trick you.

It seems pretty much a loose loose scenario only to experience something that will be forgotten the day after.

It's like buying beer that will leave you with a hangover and the need to clean up after the fact. What is the upside here?

AHH who-stole-my-name said:

Ask yourself what it means to be openminded and why you wish yourself to be that?

Is it to please you, someone else or God.

As for celebration, life is a celebration. Why would you wish to feed the facilitators of a holiday and celebrate any secular holiday. You have to purchase a cousome you will wear only one day. You will have to purchase candy that will be given out under the threat of you giving someone a treat or they will trick you.

It seems prety much a loose loose scenario only to experience something that will be forgotten the day after.

It's like buying beer that will leave you with a hangover and the need to clean up after the fact. What is the upside here?

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Your assessment of Halloween was pretty grim, but it's true!

Destiny2015 said:

Specifically as it pertains to Christianity?

It seems I am becoming more and more conservative as the years go on, or more likely the world is becoming more progressive while I stand still.

I was raised Methodist, but never became comfortable with female pastors. I'm not comfortable with the redefinition of marriage that's been happening. I'm still staunchy pro-life.

I started thinking about this because it's almost Halloween, something I've never celebrated. I don't like the celebration of death and darkness and evil. I won't through about Scripture against pretending to be a witch, but - you know it's out there. I won't pretend that everything I does glorifies God, although I try, and Halloween seems to do the opposite. Anyway, I had a "discussion" with a friend about it recently, and she couldn't understand how I could attend a church known for progressiveness, and have such conservative thoughts on Halloween.

So in short, how can I become more "liberal" or "progressive" in my own personal view of Christianity? I don't fit in anymore, and I don't mean in a "in the world but not of the world" sense. I mean I don't even know any Christians who are becoming more and more conservative like me. What's wrong with me?

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Being open-minded doesn't mean you must shift your values one way or another.

Being open-minded means considering views other than your own, or a willingness to listen to others, sometimes acknowledging you could be wrong or that more than one view could be right.

How can you become more open-minded? For me, I think the answer has been found in letting my guard down & looking at people with more grace. By that I mean when I encounter others I disagree with, I try to listen to them, realizing God loves them, too. I try not to be quick to respond emotionally out of anger or fear. Maybe I still won't agree with them, & maybe I will still not even understand them, & that's okay.

So, I would say there's nothing "wrong" with you, as far as having more "conservative" ideas on some subjects, but since you feel prompted to wonder, perhaps it would be beneficial to take some personal time for reflection & to research more in depth on topics that concern you. It may not result in you choosing what might be considered a more "progressive" stance on those topics, but what it could help you with is understanding different perspectives - especially when it comes to understanding different ways Christians view things.

Destiny2015 said:

Specifically as it pertains to Christianity?

It seems I am becoming more and more conservative as the years go on, or more likely the world is becoming more progressive while I stand still.

I was raised Methodist, but never became comfortable with female pastors. I'm not comfortable with the redefinition of marriage that's been happening. I'm still staunchy pro-life.

I started thinking about this because it's almost Halloween, something I've never celebrated. I don't like the celebration of death and darkness and evil. I won't through about Scripture against pretending to be a witch, but - you know it's out there. I won't pretend that everything I does glorifies God, although I try, and Halloween seems to do the opposite. Anyway, I had a "discussion" with a friend about it recently, and she couldn't understand how I could attend a church known for progressiveness, and have such conservative thoughts on Halloween.

So in short, how can I become more "liberal" or "progressive" in my own personal view of Christianity? I don't fit in anymore, and I don't mean in a "in the world but not of the world" sense. I mean I don't even know any Christians who are becoming more and more conservative like me. What's wrong with me?

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Nothing is wrong with your views. I actually have the same views. Holloween is evil if you actually look it up. People of the world don't want to admit what is evil is really evil because they don't want to give it up so they will find anyway to justify it.

Mister_Al said:

You should be wanting to change the peoples worldly views into more Godly views, not the other way around. If salt looses its saltiness then what good is it?

Alan

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AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Destiny2015 said:

And so many others don't? Doubtful.

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No actually people of this world dont. They are blinded by the devil.

I once heard it well said, " don't be so open minded that your brain falls out."

God doesn't ask that we become open-minded. He enables us to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Destiny2015 said:

Specifically as it pertains to Christianity?

It seems I am becoming more and more conservative as the years go on, or more likely the world is becoming more progressive while I stand still.

I was raised Methodist, but never became comfortable with female pastors. I'm not comfortable with the redefinition of marriage that's been happening. I'm still staunchy pro-life.

I started thinking about this because it's almost Halloween, something I've never celebrated. I don't like the celebration of death and darkness and evil. I won't through about Scripture against pretending to be a witch, but - you know it's out there. I won't pretend that everything I does glorifies God, although I try, and Halloween seems to do the opposite. Anyway, I had a "discussion" with a friend about it recently, and she couldn't understand how I could attend a church known for progressiveness, and have such conservative thoughts on Halloween.

So in short, how can I become more "liberal" or "progressive" in my own personal view of Christianity? I don't fit in anymore, and I don't mean in a "in the world but not of the world" sense. I mean I don't even know any Christians who are becoming more and more conservative like me. What's wrong with me?

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Don't, those views are wrong, the bible doesn't change, the bible says something is wrong, then its wrong, and if your going to a church, but if they don't obey on this the bible speaks VERY clearly about such as women as pastors over men and homosexuality then run, because they arn't a church. I'm not saying there may not be people who love god there, as you are obviously evidence of, but any place that doesn't care about the scriptures can hardly be called a church.

Destiny2015 said:

I'm find that it's very easy to believe this at night, reading the Bible, but not so easy when you're called a bigot or uptight. And when my faith wavers in seasons, it makes me wonder why I even try to believe anymore.

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To add to my earlier comment, we follow Jesus, we should not be surprised when we are treated as he was, if they hate him (and what he preached) then they will hate us. The danger is that we act unlike Jesus, and don't care using the excuse "well they hated him so I'm doing ok" as an excuse to continue to live wrongly.

Destiny2015 said:

So in short, how can I become more "liberal" or "progressive" in my own personal view of Christianity? I don't fit in anymore, and I don't mean in a "in the world but not of the world" sense. I mean I don't even know any Christians who are becoming more and more conservative like me. What's wrong with me?

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Why are you fussing about this stuff? If you are a Christian, a disciple of Christ, your goal is to conform yourself more and more to him, not the progressives of the World. Stop looking at the compromisers, the worldly "Christians" around you, and follow instead the command of God's Word:

Hebrews 12:2-3
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

If you are becoming more and more like Jesus, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. But the more you become like him, the more those in the World, those who have compromised their faith in order to be "progressive," will despise you. The World hated Christ; as you seek to be more like him, don't be surprised if it hates you, too.

John 15:18-20
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...

The only thing that will make such persecution bearable is knowing that suffering it is the result of being like the one you love more than anything else in the World. It is love for the Saviour that makes suffering for him a joy. Do you love him? I hope so.

Selah.