Does religious belief prevent people from opening their mind and increase their knowledge and experience?
2006-07-05 04:51:54 · 38 answers · asked by phenotype 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think so. According to my experience with religious people, religions give you definite answers to certain questions, and they keep you from doubting those answers. Open-mindedness implies never settling for any answer. Always looking for a better one. So, religions do close your mind.
2006-07-05 04:56:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Religious belief has prevented people from opening their mind and increasing their knowledge and experience... True. Scientific theories have prevented people from opening their mind and increasing their knowledge and experience. Have you ever seen someone working on one thing too much? They kind of forget the rest of the world. I don't consider myself religious, but I should tell you I have a personal relationship with my savior. You've probably heard of him. Jesus Christ. Now I'm not telling you this to push off my beliefs on you. I just thought I should be honest. Anyway I find that my beliefs have made me capable of seeing things differently. Because of my beliefs I want to consider all angles or be more open-minded, increase my knowledge, and experience. I'm one person and for everyone it will be different. This question has a "yes" and "no" answer depending on each person.
2006-07-05 05:07:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does in lots of people. I myself is very open-minded and religious. Some religions are very strict and forbide anything to change even if it is for the best of human kind. With more open-minded people in the world there would be less wars. Just because you don't like who someone is does not give you the right to say they are wrong.
2006-07-05 04:57:21 · answer #3 · answered by jellybean7980 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I rather think so. but it depends on the religion. I know many Buddhists Hindus and Pagans that put christians and muslims to shame when it comes to open mindedness. However there are some very closed minded Atheists as well. I have yet to meet a closed minded Agnostic but there might be some there too although rare.
2006-07-05 04:56:38 · answer #4 · answered by brianna_the_angel777 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have to agree. Only because the way you are brought up to believe in a certain religion, god, or diety shapes how you act in every day life and your opinions on everything around you. This means that, for instance, if you are of the Catholic denomination [correct me if I'm wrong here] but they are very anti-abortion. Therefore, it is more than likely you have been taught that as you were taught the religion, and would not be open to ideas about pro-choice, and less likely to even associate with someone who is.
2006-07-05 04:55:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I am religious, but I am still open-minded about the world. Am I more cynical about some things? Sure. I increase my knowledge and experience daily and try to learn as much as I can about anything I can.
2006-07-05 04:54:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe that religion necessarily is the same as dogma and closed mindedness. Many people are loving and accepting as well as religious. The Judeo-Christian ethic involves the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule and loving your neighbor. The more people learn, the more knowledge they have, the greater possibility for acceptance of others.
I think that it is only weak minded people who are more like cattle who have to judge and reject others.
A person's politics can also make them closed minded. Politics and religion should not be combined. we need more love and acceptance and less judgement.
2006-07-05 05:06:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Churches as an organization tend to try to stifle openmindedness. Each individual must choose their own path, ultimately. So being open minded in their search will serve them well in any religion.
2006-07-05 04:54:05 · answer #8 · answered by jmmevolve 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You presuppose that belief means something that is not thought out. My belief that the bible is the inspired word of God didn't come from someone saying that to me and my taking them at their word. It comes from ten years of in depth study of the bible.
Is my mind "open" to other religions being valid? No. Because if the way to heaven were through anything other than Jesus Christ, why did He die on the cross? And the bible would be a lie, which I do not believe that it is.
That being said, I also believe that others should have the freedom to choose what they believe. But if someone would ask me, do you think there is any other way of "salvation" except through the biblical Jesus Christ, I would say no.
The bible has many verses about knowledge: in 2nd Peter my instruction is to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". It is in God's knowledge...found in His word...that I desire to grow.
2006-07-05 05:42:13 · answer #9 · answered by christian_lady_2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many religions do, yes. But those very same religions that prevent their members from open thinking also teach only the parts of The Bible they like, not all of it. So not to be bias I won't mention my religion, but it's widely known how my faith feels about homosexuality while I am an open gay rights activist and not judged by my faith for it. (I'm not gay but fully believe ALL are entitled to equal rights)
2006-07-05 04:59:02 · answer #10 · answered by Daydream Believer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋