Question for open minded people: What's the difference between narrow minded and closed minded?

Question

Please speak your mind.

Thanks Andrew, but its to late now;)

Tuberoot...Perhaps you should read the question again;)

Answer 1

Closed minded is not able to accept any new information. Narrow minded people accept information within a certain limit. For example I am narrow minded. I am a Christian. I hold GOD's word above anything any human could ever say. I do however listen to new ways of perceiving GOD's word.

Answer 2

There is no problem with having a narrow mind, provided it is pointed in the correct direction. It is like an antenna having gain along its axis, like the ones we used to use to watch television. If you know the way to point it, the experience is all the richer. There are probably those, too, who know so well how to keep a narrow mind properly focused that they will prosper and find blessing in the approach. Typical, however, are the less-adroit in this space, who'd do well to lower the depth of their search and consider more breadth, at least until they have a reliable signal.

Now a closed mind, to continue this analogy, would have to be the equivalent of cutting the 300-ohm twin lead and accepting no new signals.

That's my geeky attempt at metaphor.

Answer 3

Narrow-minded people have their beliefs, whatever they may be (secular or religious), and are unwilling to change them, no matter what evidence they are shown. Or, they may be willing to change, but only as much as they are forced to and with great resistance.

Open-minded people have their beliefs as well, also either secular or sacred, and are willing to change when shown good proof that is contrary to their own opinion. Tolerant and open-minded are not the same thing, precisely, but they often go hand in hand.

People who have no opinions in either direction are probably just empty-minded.

Certain religious groups will say that believers who admit there is a possibility there is no God are not "true believers," but they are in actuality just open-minded, because they still believe God exists, they just admit there is a POSSIBILITY that is not the case.

Certain atheists will call people who admit there could be a god "superstitious," but they are in actuality just open-minded.

It is my belief that those who are open-minded make the best believers, because there would be no need for "belief" if it could be PROVEN that there was a God or gods. Belief requires doubt to exist.

It is also my belief that those who are open-minded make the best atheists/agnostics, because they are more respectful of other people's beliefs, and therefore easy to get along with.

Answer 4

Narrow minded people are people who have a firm set of beliefs that they apply to what they see and hear and do. A close minded person is a person who will not be open to rational discussion that challenges what they believe in. Being somewhat "narrow minded" is a good thing because some people who are "open minded" seem to have left their minds so open that some of their brains have fallen out.

Jesus warned about being "open" to whatever someone who claimed to be a prophet might have to say.

Matthew 7:13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Answer 5

a close-minded person will think that they know it all. An open-minded wil recognize when they don't know something. The opened-minded yeild to those who know more than they do, at least for the time of listening, or recieving the communication.

So, an open-minded person knows when to shut up and listen. A close-minded person doesn't.

Narrow-minded people are close-minded.

Sorry. I read the dictionary and I see that narrow-minded and close-minded are synonymus. Hence the last statement; " Narrow-minded people are close-minded. "

Perhaps you should use the dictionary:
–adjective
1. having or showing a prejudiced mind, as persons or opinions; biased.
2. not receptive to new ideas; having a closed mind.
3. extremely conservative and morally self-righteous.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/narrow-minded

It's free!

Answer 6

A close-minded person cannot bear to hear an argument with which he disagrees; there is no room for discussion. Anyone who disagrees with him/her is declared stupid. They cannot ask: what if the other person is right? I always ask that - it's the first thing I remind myself to do when I feel an impulse to disagree. So I guess I'm pretty open-minded. In fact,come to think about it,I seem to have a lot of terrific qualities - that isn't the only one. Why I could go forever about my excellent qualities. If only there were time,time without end...oh well. At least I'm open-minded.

Answer 7

Great question. but there is a big difference.
Close minded, means they wont let in any new ideas that arent of their own already.
narrow minded means it is hard to get thru to them, but sometimes if we persist, we can.
Lets say one is a close mnded bigot, totally closed, One can never get thru to them to show them how ludicrous it is. but, if they are narrow minded, sometimes with common sense and facts, we can reach one of these narrow minded ppl. But, often narrow minded ppl get closed minded after years of not being willing to look at new things. NOt a good way to be. BUt, we pray for them and try our best to reach them and leave the rest to God. Tho in thinking on this, we must realize we cant be either of those either, but sometimes we are wrong, and the other is right, and it is them trying to get thru to us. So who is narrow minded? Who is closed?? Can depend on how we look at it. Are we willing to be real with ourselves and hear the others point of view, before judgement is passed. Often ppl make opinions set in concrete based on faulty thinking and have no clue what they talk about. I am a full gospel Christian, believing most of the Pentacostal tenaments of faith. I will hear ppl say WELL YOU BELIEVE THIS OR THAT>> and no we dont. They jsut hear from second and third parties. I knew somene once as a seventh day adventist and they were told they didnt believe in Jesus. Yes they do. I believe they arent accurate about other beliefs, but to know that, I msut know what the Bible says and what they believe, not just be guessing at it. Good thought questions.

Answer 8

Closed means will listen to nothing period.
Narrow means will listen to similar beliefs, or maybe wome different and will stay with the original. I mean a narrow minded person may listen to a different opinion but they will always stand by their own, even if it doesn't make sense.

Answer 9

Closed minded - I thought means nothing gets in (good or bad), you are programed and are not able to alter your perspective on any issue.

Narrow minded - You can be reprogramed ONLY by the leader that programed you.

I hope I was close? I didn't do much thinking on this.

Answer 10

The willingness to appreciate and seek to understand distinctions, along with an acceptance of difference, and further, a sense of humility in terms of one's convictions. Finally, it is the ability to express one's convictions with emotional restraint and with respect for another's dignity.