Can you say you really have open-mindedness if you retain your belief in a debate?

Question

To really understand a differing perspective and to see if it makes sense doesn't one have to be unbiased in his approach?

As an Agnostic-atheist I believe I'm fair when I examine what I believe with religion. I try to get a look at both sides of the fence before I make my decision.

Do you all do the same?

To answer the latter part of your statment "Rosalind S"... I have fun.

Answer 1

of course i do... i mean ive said this many times, no one knows this subject as fact.. so i always keep my mind open to other opinions... plus if i hear/read something that makes more sense to me vs. what i believe i accept that as my own.

Answer 2

Of course, you are correct in that, in any debate or discussion regarding religion or theism, as an agnostic or atheist, if only for the sake of proper etiquette, you would maintain an open mind and allow the person or persons with opposing views to have their says. That notwithstanding, you would not then, unless you were sincerely convinced by the others' arguments, be required or expected to abandon your own views. In my own case, I am agnostic, but only after having experienced a childhood during which I attended a somewhat liberal Protestant church, following that upbringing by questioning my beliefs or lack thereof and reaching the conclusion which I currently accept. I studied many of the New Age concepts during my quest but came to realize that I simply had no faith in the existence of a deity without proof, and I doubt that, at this point, I could be persuaded to alter that view -- I can not believe in a god if I can not!

Answer 3

Being open-minded, in my opinion, doesn't always mean that a person changes their views based on a debate. Being open-minded means that you are willing to objectively listen to both sides of an issue and make a fair and educated decision on your beliefs based on the information. If your beliefs do change that's fine, if they don't, that's fine too. Closed-minded people are typically completely unwilling to hear or learn about any opinion or belief that differs from their own.

Answer 4

I tend to be someone who sees a situation from many sides. Sometimes I do this so well I can have trouble making up my mind. As for my spiritual/religious beliefs, they have developed gradually and continue to do so. Although I am very much a theist, my open-mindedness has led me to question some of my beliefs and has given me a better understanding of the beliefs of others. I can honestly say I respect everyone's right to believe as they wish and see why they do.

Answer 5

In debate it's not about listening. I used to debate in my communications class in college, and one didn't really try to see the others side.

However, in my current life - I am extremely open to listening to what people believe in. I am proud that even though what I believe in a lot of times gets bashed, I am not an extremist in any way. I choose to interpret and believe what I believe in my own way. I don't need to push this off on someone who believes so strongly in what they choose to hold on as sacred.

I truly wish more people understood the word respect and right to choose what they hold sacred.

If someone asks me what I believe and asks me a question about the Bible or a story to explain something - now I do try to help them understand in how I choose to interpret that verse or whatever, but if they don't see - it's ok - I am NOT out to "save" the world

Answer 6

Being open-minded does not mean you have to waver either
way in a debate, especially if you KNOW without a doubt that
your viewpoint is absolutely true and provable. Always changing your opinion just to satisfy someone else is not
open-minded--it's called being an a** kisser, it means you got
no guts to stand up for what you believe to be true!
Open-minded means being flexible enough to change when
you're presented with facts--especially facts opposite your
own belief.

Answer 7

I'm an agnostic atheists due to the fact I cant prove or disprove the issue of God. I define the two sides of the fence as realism,physical,etc and supernatural,metaphysical, superstition etc. I tend to lean towards reality. I do look at both sides, but one side seems outrageous. Anyways, no matter what, it seems everyone is bias(for example, you choose x over y, your supposedly bias towards y)

Answer 8

I do try to do the same. I like to hear what others believe and why they believe it. Sometimes, when people explain why they believe what they do, it makes sense for what they know. So far, I can not agree because there is deeper spiritual knowledge given by God to those who are saved that unless you are saved and given this understanding, you can not understand.

Having said that, I remain a God loving Jesus Freak who hasn't changed her mind!

Answer 9

I don't think I'd say you're closed-minded for retaining your belief in a debate. At least, not if you're truly listening to and considering what the side person is presenting, instead of shutting yourself down to even hearing what they have to say.

Answer 10

I know my own personal religious beliefs. I know that I respect the beliefs of others. My belief system is very libertarian - your rights stop where mine start, and vice versa. So when someone tells me I'm wrong, or that I'm evil because of my beliefs, I have a problem with that. However I have no problem with the other person believing in Jesus, or God or Allah, or Buddha, or the sky gods, or whatever, as long as they accept that my beliefs are valid TO ME just as theirs are TO THEM.

Answer 11

To be open minded means to be able to accept other points of view if given enough evidence. It doesn't mean you have to accept everything just to be fair (that would be a hypocrit). But to keep your own point of view regardless of sufficient evidence to the contrary is just being stubborn. In order to grow, we must be able to learn, and a mind that does not learn or change its point of view once in a while, becomes crystalized, unable to expand. That leads to all hard-heads out there. ;)

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