Why do both Christians AND Atheists seem to be narrow minded?

Question

I admit that I don't have all the answers, and therefore try to keep an open mind about religion and the existence of God.
I cannot be 100% positive there is or isnt a God.
And yet, most people seem to be so sure about their ideology, without the ability to prove it one way or another.

Answer 1

It is because we (each of us) always think that we are always right, even if we hold open the option that we might be wrong.

No one holds an opinion that they believe to be wrong!

What is the sense holding a view if one does not really believe in it?

I can say to you that Abraham Lincoln NEVER existed, and you will never prove me to be a liar, because part of my arguement will be that everything that you hold up as proof is part of the big fraud that was purpatrated on the masses. and you simply believe it.

Of course there is a logic behind that type of reason but short of witnessing EVERYTHING that ever happened, we simply choose to accept a limited amount of evidence to be the basis for our respective world views.

Jesus was proven, historically, more so than the cesears and the pharoes.

Those who walked with him and firsthandedly witnessed both his wonders and his words, wrote it down for us. it is as accurate an accounting as anything ever to come from the old world.

The prophetical happenings that happened prior to his time and till now are amazing proofs.

Beyond that, oral histories are as valid as written ones and ADAM lived for over 900 years, doubtlessly repeating his story ad nausium, to everyone and he only died a few hundred years prior to the flood (one thing that EVERY SINGLE culture on earth teaches!)
IT was finally written down and there is no reason to doubt it any more than oral histories of the Aboriginies or Zulus.

Judiaism and Christianity both explain atheism. It is the work of satan, convincing others that there is no God. It is not new.

As for me, I have about as much knowledge as is possible on the subject and far more than any evolutionist's conjecture will ever give about the beginning.

As I accept that Lincoln lived and was President, I also believe in God, as the Bible reveals Him.

Answer 2

The way we are brought up, combined with our life experiences, mostly determine what we consider our belief systems. If a person doesn't stay open to new ideas, or possibilities, the person becomes rigid. Rigid people usually have a hard time thinking outside the box. Most narrow mindedness, I believe, stems from fear. Think about it. Religious fanatics (not so much those who are sold out, the whole route, but a few of them too) flat refuse to believe there is not a God. Atheists refuse to believe there is a God. Then there are the poor souls in the middle, who don't know what to believe, and are seen as wishy washy by the other groups. I believe there is truth in all "religions", there is also non-truth, not necessarily lies. People are afraid to believe in the fact that God may not be all there is. Maybe Buddha was right too. ALL of the major "religions" have one thing in common...that is treating each other the way we want to be treated. I think God works in all religions. Yes, all of them. That is what makes diversity so cool. A sharing of ideas, a melting pot of different styles. I don't know a boring God, if he was a creator, then why not in the form of beliefs too? Just a thought. Great observation. Keep up the search! :)

Answer 3

It is often asked why atheists are so "narrow-minded" in respect to religion. I would respond to the believer - why are you so narrow-minded to the existence of Zeus? or Athena? or the Muslim? or Jewish or Christian God? What about Zoroaster? or Krishna?

Any believer is an atheist for the vast majority of gods ever purported to exist. During their time disbelief in these gods may have been taboo, but today they are simply "mythology." Of course, there is no way I would say it is 100% impossible that these or any other gods exist, but as other posters have said, this doesn't mean that is a presupposition for belief. I cannot prove to you that the earth's core is not made of cheese, that doesn't mean I consider it an equally likely possibility.

We atheists simply take our atheism one step farther. We are equal opportunity believers - we look at all faiths and, after consideration, choose none. How do Christians explain choosing their belief system? I imagine it has more to do with the faith of their parents and their upbringing than a rational, truly open-minded choice.

Answer 4

Good point , i see the same thing, i consider myself agnostic, i dont know if theres a god or not i dont go one way or the other, it would be ignorent of me to be too overly opinionated about something that i do not have the answer to, im not sure why people are so narrow minded, im thinking for christians it is a nessisary thing because there is so much evidence against there specific thology, not much actually can be proven so they have to follow blindly ,if they give to much mind to nobeleivers they might stumble on account of "good points" and "scientific facts" with atheists i think possablythe reason why there so narrow minded is because people who CHOOSE to call themselves Atheist are inclined to conflict and narrow mindedness, if you ask the average nonchristian what there beleifs are they will usually express an Agnostic type opinion, they are not trying to disprove anyone cause they really dont know or care, but you ask an atheist what there beleifs are and its all a bunch of anti religious propaganda that often times has even less root in fact then the religios people. i have to say id much rather listen to a christian defend his/her faith or try to prove there theology then listen to some hotheaded "Atheist" run on about how horrible religion is.

Answer 5

AHHHHHHHHHHHH....please,enough of these Christian/Atheist attacks! Pick on someone else for once....please! Not ALL Christians and atheists are narrow minded....just some, as in all populations, SOME of the people are different than the others. All I see on here are attacks against one or the other but rarely is there an intelligent question being asked. It's the same one over and over again.

Answer 6

I try not to be so narrow minded, but I am an atheist. I take in all the ideas I can and choose for myself based on the facts presented what seems the most plausible. Until someone can make a logical argument for God I won't believe in him. I respect another's rights to believe and I believe in tolerating ALL beliefs.

Answer 7

i totally agree with you. Most people are mindset, and think whatever they believe is the true way, and everyone else is wrong. I also have an open mind. I believe there is a God because i've seen Him work miracles, and yes, it's normal for everyone to have doubts. It's part of the package that comes with being human.

Answer 8

I accept that it is possible that I am wrong. However, I also can accept that if I am wrong, it is most possible that everyone else is wrong too. The odds support there either being no god, or no personal god, and I am fine with either conclusion. I can easily provide some proofs that explain my beliefs, however, one must consider them without the influence of any other theology. Frankly, I can convince no one, and no one can convince me. And, unlike many, I can accept that. I am as sure as one can be, and yet I still consider myself open to other ideas and perceptions.

Answer 9

The Christian seems that way to others because of what He knows. The atheists because of what they don't know and have decided will allow them to do anything they themselves feel is okay without having any accountability to any higher authority but God's word plainly says,
"There is a way that seems right to a man but the end thereof is death" and He was speaking about physical death but a much, much worse death after this one.

Answer 10

Atheists don't have to prove there is no god, because you can't prove a negative. Try proving there is NOT a teapot orbiting around the sun. You can't, but that doesn't mean the idea that there is a teapot orbiting around the sun is on equal footing with there not being one. The burden of proof is on the theist.