Are you sure you're open minded?

Question

I don't know about you, but I'm not always an open minded person. When telemarketers, call I'm not remotely open minded. I'm also not open minded about licking circuit breakers or taking crack cocaine.

So where does GOOD open mindedness being and bad open mindedness end? I can't help but muse that many Christians criticize others as close minded but have little interest in what Pagans and Wiccans (or atheists?) have to say.

So, are you open minded? To what are you open minded and to what are you close minded?

Answer 1

My favorite quote, from Aristotle: "The mark of an educated mind is the ability to entertain an idea without accepting it." In other words, check out ALL of the ideas. But in order to do that, you have to have a) sense enough to discern good ones from bad ones AND b) the confidence in yourself, your beliefs, and your knowledge to exmaine an idea before rejecting it.

And I try to do that, with everything, actually.

Answer 2

Well, if this question is mainly focusing on being openminded religious wise...I am an open book. I want to learn about ALL religions & all alike. I'm a very spiritual person but I'm not of any certain religion. I haven't found one that I feel I can 100% relate with or even close to that. I even love learning about Pagans, Wiccans, or Atheists. I may not agree with everything that is said to me or that I read about it, but I find it interesting none the less & learn from it. At least if I do decide that one religion is just horrible I can say so thru knowledge of their religion. The hardest part I have with this is that I don't have too many people to talk to about it & openly ask questions. My family members are all Christians & get offended if anything is questioned. I want them to show me specifically where it says in the Bible certain things that they claim to be true & instead of educating me they tell me to look it up myself. I think they just don't know what they are truly talking about. With that said, I'm not going to lick any circuit breakers or take any crack, but I'm pretty darn open minded. I have a thirst for the knowledge of everything & the openness that I know I don't HAVE to agree with everything~

Answer 3

First, I believe that being open minded means to listen. To really hear....an opinion or belief that is different from your own...without prejudice or preconceived notions about it; and the purpose of this listening is simply to understand. Understanding does not imply that you are willing to change your own stance or beliefs. It is a sign of emotional maturity to hear another and understand them without being offended or feeling that you yourself must become like them. It is a stance of security in one's self and one's beliefs. So when put like that I don't believe that there is such a thing as "bad openmindedness".

Example - if I told you there was a trick to licking circuit breakers that caused instant orgasm would you be willing to listen? If what I said made sense would you try it? or just think that it was okay for some but not you? That is openmindedness. Listening for the purpose of understanding and learning. Nothing more. Being willing to try something new is beyond the bounds of the mind and enters a new arena.

All most ppl want when they say they wish a group/person was more open minded is really to just be heard without condemnation.

Answer 4

I like to think that I am open-minded, but I know there are times and specific situations in which my mind shuts closed like a steel trap. For instance, my mother is a very religious person...the type of person who will bring her brand of religion into every conversation whether it's relevant or not. I have my own idea or notion of what I think is going on in the world as far as spirituality is concerned, and while I do not reject her ideas, I do disagree with some of them and am not open to discussing it.

My mind is made up about issues such as the death penalty and abortion and other various "hot topics." That's not to say that I won't listen to the opinions of others, I just know that I am not very apt to change my mind. Of course, when in a debate, my position is always this : I am not here to change your mind, because that is impossible, I am only here to give you a different point of view. Perhaps that is what open-mindedness is really all about; not being open to every idea or quick to change your mind, but being open to other opinions. I don't know.

Just my cent and a half....

Answer 5

I like to believe Im pretty open minded. I do have strong beliefs in many things but its not like I havent changed my beliefs before. It can still happen. I dont usually see things as "black and white" and good things can come from the strangest places. I spent time in Buddhism, and even though Im not Buddhist now, there were a lot of good philosophies I still believe. I even read the Satanic Bible once, and though I never was a Satanist, I remember it did say something I felt was a good philosophy. It said "Take nothing that doesnt belong to you, unless it's a burden too big for your brother to carry himself"

Answer 6

Am I sure I'm open-minded?

No, I'm pretty sure I'm not. I get my spiritual beliefs package from the Bible only, and listen to other Christian opinions, but not to other religious opinions.

I do, however, enjoy discussing questions with true seekers. We Christians weren't born with this set of beliefs, you know. We had to be convinced of some difficult truths somehow, and some of us fought them.

You had some good examples about things that had to do with your own safety and people wasting your time (telemarketers). That's the same way I feel about my beliefs...and certainly the way a lot of others do.

Answer 7

Good. I'm open minded to the truth and closed minded to a set of beliefs that promise something in the future. " If a person has to wait until tomorrow for there reward in heaven, they haven't worshipped will enough today.

Answer 8

I'm absolutely closed-minded when someone starts spouting bibble quotes to justify anything. Anything.

When I sense that the other person isn't honestly being open-minded, mine closes too.

And when it comes to Animal Rights I'm almost as Fanatical as the Xian Fundies. And just as closed-minded about opposition.

Telemarketers too! :D

But I do believe I'm open-minded, and very liberal in most things.

Answer 9

I will listen to what you have to say with an attentive ear but that does not mean I will follow what you say with an intent heart. I have my own set of beliefs and am an ardent follower of them. To give you a bit of hope, if I find a religion I think is better than mine then I'd convert *snicker* Btw: I've searched all religions, atheism, paganism and agnosticism :-D and I'm still Muslim. But I'd be glad to hear what you have to say if it is presented in a fashionable manner. Peace.

Answer 10

Its a matter of personal preference I think. And besides licking circuit breakers is most pleasing