I asked 2 questions. "Theists, is it possible God does not exist?"
and "Atheists, is it possible God exists?"
"Open minded" means the person admits they may be mistaken about their belief.
These are the stats:
Of 13 theists who answered, 3 were open minded, 23%
Of 9 atheists who answered, 7 were open minded, 78%
What does this mean?
2006-08-25 08:52:15 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm a theist, and I accept the fact that what I believe in is just a faith and God may not exist (though I HOPE he does). If you want a honest answer to your question, I say it depends heavily on the person you ask.
2006-08-25 09:18:13 · answer #1 · answered by S€kO€_GiRl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Open minded does NOT mean admitting they may be mistaken.
Open minded means taking all the facts into consideration before making a decision. A person can be decisive and totally convinced of their position, and still be open minded. It just means they're satisfied that they've examined the evidence and have made a decision.
Is it being closed minded to say gravity is real, whether you like it or not? No! It's taking the facts at hand and making a decision!
Your definitions are messed up.
Your statistics DO show one interresting trend, though. 77% of theistic respondants were firm and decisive, they were sure about what they believed. Only 22% of atheist respondants were sure of the truth in their beliefs.
Statistics, as you can see, can be skewed any way you want.
2006-08-25 16:06:51 · answer #2 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think agnostics are the most open-minded, but I'm clearly biased.
And no Karen, I think God would think you are a fool, if you can't admit to yourself that there is a possibility he does not exist.
Ben, I agree with what you are saying to a certain extent. However, I will argue that even after doing your best research, it is often not possible to obtain enough fact to fully substantiate your claim. Choosing an explanation regardless, and denying the possibility of a different explanation, is in fact close-minded.
...And in regards to your comments on statistics. If properly done, statistics are a very meaningful tool. Sure without the proper controls and by surveying a limited number of subjects your stats are flawed... but dismissing all statistics is a mistake.
2006-08-25 16:05:15 · answer #3 · answered by tesla_styx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well actually, this might not be a fair question. For atheists to agree that there MIGHT be a god, there is no consequences. They won't be punished if their belief is wrong and their IS a god. For theists say that their might NOT be a god... well, if there IS a god he'd probably be pretty mad at their lack of faith, wouldn't he be? So that can't be scientifically used as fact that atheists are more open minded...
2006-08-25 16:03:19 · answer #4 · answered by BearBert 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means nothing because it's too small of a sample to be statistically meaningful. Also, I get the impression that a lot of fundamentalist types are on this site specifically to proselytize, so they will skew your results. I just hope there are more people on both sides of the question that are respectful of the beliefs of others then what I normally see on Yahoo Answers.
2006-08-25 16:02:25 · answer #5 · answered by mj_indigo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it depends on what you are asking them to be open-minded about. As far as religion goes, who knows! And how did you know they were theists or atheists? Did you only count the ones who told you?
2006-08-25 15:57:41 · answer #6 · answered by theobromo77 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the theists who answered are certain there is A GOD and atheists are not really sure
2006-08-25 16:01:10 · answer #7 · answered by ma_2st 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I think is that atheists like myself aren't really taught any one religion or that anybody is "right" which would make us more open minded individuals.
If, for instance, you went to a Catholic school and you were taught only Catholicism and that your religion was the ONLY religion that would guarantee eternal happiness, etc., you might not be so open-minded to other cultures, religions, points of view, etc.
2006-08-25 15:57:10 · answer #8 · answered by Ashlee S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means Theists, being dogmatic in their beliefs, were less likely to explore the possibility that they could be wrong. Atheists, basically not having a stron belief to cling to, were more likely to entertain the possiblitiy that they were wrong. These are the results I would have expected.
2006-08-25 16:00:54 · answer #9 · answered by Darien 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That not very many people were interested enough to answer your questions...that's what it means.
There are open minded people of all types, religions, and non-religions...
Is it possible a god(s) (or something similar to the common view of such) exist? Sure...do I think it likely? No...
Color me an agnostic pagan...lol!
2006-08-25 15:58:58 · answer #10 · answered by . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋