Open-mindedness...

[CyNix]

I hear the term "Open-Minded" used too often on TV, the radio, books and magazines, and even in casual conversation. As a fundamental Christian (One who believes the Bible is the only writen word of God) I notice that people of like faith are accused of being close-minded and fundamental as if there was something wrong with this. I am very open-minded. I do not close my mind to any option or possibility, but I do not change my faith based on the most recent fads or set of beliefs.

My questions to anyone who can answer: (if it is possible )

1. Why is a strict set of unwaivering beliefs considered undesirable, or "backward"?

2. Why is being a Christian "fundie", wrong?

 

[Sanguine]

1) Because by definition it means you are not open to new evidence which contradicts you're faith. You cannot say "yes, I'm open minded... but not about this", it just doesn't work like that

2) Probably just an image problem, so you'd best ask jerry falwell et al why.

 

[CyNix]

I am open to evidence and anyone elses opinion. I will even consider the validity of what they have to say. But because I choose to not change what I believe based on what they have to say, that makes me close-minded?
By that definition should I be open minded? Why?

 

[Spaise]

Unwaivering beliefs are wrong in the sense that you refuse to evolve your thinking.

Nothing is perfect, not a thing in our reality.

Thoughts, beliefs, ideas, should be updated day to day with new discoveries, new images, experiences, events.

 

[Lucubratus]

I take open minded to mean receptive to arguments or ideas
I then take receptive to mean being open to ideas, arguments, impressions or suggestions
I take argument to mean discussion - by the way...lol

I don't think it makes a person close-minded to then decide not to take any idea, argument, impression or suggestion into their own life if it's going to contradict themselves and make themselves miserable. And that is why I would say no to Cynix's question and that is my reason why..

Christian "fundie" isn't bad if it works for you and you're not shoving it down other people's throat, but since so many ARE shoving it down other peoples throats, it gets to be bad.

I've had fundie's come after me just because I write and draw in a genre that doesn't jive with them. (Lord of the Ring's type stuff) and I'm Christian so that made them even worse

 

[HadouKen24]

CyNix, if you're the kind of person who rejects or accepts something based on logic and rational reasoning, and doesn't reject positions categorically without considering them, then yes, you're open-minded.

If not, you aren't.

Simple as that.

 

[transientlife]

I hear the term "Open-Minded" used too often on TV, the radio, books and magazines, and even in casual conversation. As a fundamental Christian (One who believes the Bible is the only writen word of God) I notice that people of like faith are accused of being close-minded and fundamental as if there was something wrong with this. I am very open-minded. I do not close my mind to any option or possibility, but I do not change my faith based on the most recent fads or set of beliefs.

My questions to anyone who can answer: (if it is possible )

1. Why is a strict set of unwaivering beliefs considered undesirable, or "backward"?

2. Why is being a Christian "fundie", wrong?

1. Unwaivering beliefs I don't necessarily consider backward. I think it's good to stand firm in your beliefs, but like another poster said it's good to be receptive to others beliefs, ideas etc. A lot of Christians it seems, seem to confuse being receptive with meaning you are giving up your beliefs when the two are not really connected- or have to be. I'm a Christian, but I also read the Tao Te Ching, Quran and Dhammapada in addition to the Bible...doesn't mean I'm abandoning my Christianity, but I embrace the lessons and viewpoints other religions present as well, they satisfy a curiosity in me.
2. Like in other religions...there are "good" fundies and "bad" fundies. I think after 9/11 you can see very good examples of this.

 

[Havoc]

A Fundamentalist is one who believes in the absolute truth of his chosen beliefs and in the fundamental tenets of his religion.

A Fundie is one who uses fundamentalist doctrine to support prejudice and bigotry and tells people who believe differently that they are utterly wrong, even though he has no objective evidence to show it.

A Fundamentalist wil tell you "This is what I believe and why I believe that it is the truth. This is why I think you would benefit from hearing the message."

A Fundie will tell you. "You are going to HELL!! You have to accept that my God is the absolute truth and you're a fool if you don't. Your beliefs are Satanic and Evil and you have to turn away from your faith RIGHT NOW or you'll burn in hell for eternity!!!"

I have no problem with Fundamentalists. Fundies are another beast entirely.

 

[Lucubratus]

A lot of Christians it seems, seem to confuse being receptive with meaning you are giving up your beliefs when the two are not really connected- or have to be. I'm a Christian, but I also read the Tao Te Ching, Quran and Dhammapada in addition to the Bible...doesn't mean I'm abandoning my Christianity.

I am in total agreement with that. I happen to relate with the Wiccan Rede I just don't believe in the Goddess or spirits concepts of Wicca

 

[Arthra]

I hear the term "Open-Minded" used too often on TV, the radio, books and magazines, and even in casual conversation. As a fundamental Christian (One who believes the Bible is the only writen word of God) I notice that people of like faith are accused of being close-minded and fundamental as if there was something wrong with this. I am very open-minded. I do not close my mind to any option or possibility, but I do not change my faith based on the most recent fads or set of beliefs.

My questions to anyone who can answer: (if it is possible )

1. Why is a strict set of unwaivering beliefs considered undesirable, or "backward"?

2. Why is being a Christian "fundie", wrong?

I think probably the term "fundamentalist" has some very negative connotations attached to it...

This is also true of terms like "liberal" ...

Years ago I was in a "Bible as Liturature" class at University....and we studied the Bible as literature without theological bias ...just studied it as literature... I actually learned a lot from that class. At some point, I forget when, the professor used the term "fundamentalist"...now this was long before Jerry Falwell or others in the media were associated with the term.. I asked what it meant.. He replied it meant returning to the fundamentals of the religion... in this case the Bible. Now this professor was a very open minded chap and was not threatening people with hell fire...

So i think in the course of time the term "fundamentalist" has changed...at least for me...

Recently I attended a Conference and was invited to a prayer service which was supposed to unite people in a neighboring city... I asked who sponsored this service. She said the churches in that city were sponsoring it.

Now, I happened to know there was an Inter-Faith Council (with main-line Protestant churches in it) active in that city, so I asked her if the sponsoring group was connected with the Inter-Faith Council there and she replied most emphatically "No"...only the Evangelical churches were sponsoring it... I said "Oh, is there a distance or gap between the Evangelical churches and the Inter Faith Council?" She replied "Yes there was a gap." I said "What was the gap?" She replied it was "the Bible".

Well, it seems to be that you have various groups that are less tolerant here that are at odds with other Christians... So i think this could get attached to maybe the present meanings of Fundamentalism.

- Art

 

[Spike~]

Let me ask you this, Cynix. If provided with enough solid evidence, and logic, would you be willing to change your beliefs to accept facts, or is it "My God, right or wrong!" for you?

And if you are willing to change your beliefs, how much evidence and logic would you need?

 

[Heathen Dawn]

1. Why is a strict set of unwaivering beliefs considered undesirable, or "backward"?

I don’t think it is.

2. Why is being a Christian "fundie", wrong?

Because you follow a manual of intolerance. Face it, the Bible, like its Islamic rip-off, scores low in tolerance of other paths.

(to reiterate: I believe in one truth but not in one way)