Why would theists say that their minds are open and others are not?

Question

How can they say those in their faith have open minds? Because their minds are open to God? I opened my mind to God for the first 20 years of my life and I found out that nothing came to me. I don't know whether or not there is a God or there is an Allah or there is some King Xetook in outer space, but I'm not rejecting the fact that there is.

Why, then, do you reject the possibility of other religions and even the evidence based evolution? In my opinion, it's the religious that have the closed minds.

Answer 1

As a person who tries to retain as much neutrality as possible concerning the existence of "God" (in whatever form various religions refer to such "higher powers"), I must admit that it is difficult sometimes to understand the world-view that (seemingly) many theists take for granted. One of my best friends is, in fact, a Roman Catholic priest! While we never speak of religion (just as, I imagine, a medical doctor would like to think of other subjects besides medicine while "away from work"), the man has sufficiently convinced me that people who defy stereotypical images of "pop-culture believers" do, indeed, exist. Jesus Camp, he most certainly IS NOT. I have never, after years of critical observation, seen anything to suggest that this person does not believe what he says on the altar! He is 38 years old, intelligent, attractive, and probably the only example that I have ever been fortunate enough to meet of a DEVOUTLY religious person who exemplifies all of the better ethical teachings of the Christian religion. This man gets up every morning at 4am, prays and meditates for two hours before his first mass, and does indeed spend the rest of his day in genuine service to his fellow (wo)man. He is a virgin (trust me; this guy is a virgin by choice). He has a Masters Degree in philosophy, and (though I have never tested him on the matter, out of respect for our friendship) could likely at least go toe-to-toe with me; were we ever to debate that which we have come to a seemingly unspoken agreement not to talk about.

My point is that some people have reached their theistic viewpoint after as much or more reflection as I have undergone in becoming agnostic. Though we (drastically) differ in our "larger view" of things, my friend has taught me at least one valuable lesson: we should not always make sweeping generalizations concerning the nature of theists (not to imply that you yourself are making such generalizations, but it does seem to be a difficult mindset to avoid for some of us!).

Even deductive logic has its' fringes. Many thousands of people who are colloquially often referred to as "quacks" attempt to solve Fermat's Last Theorem each and every year (unsuccessfully); are we to base our judgements of such minds as Des Carte, Newton, Daniel Dennett, upon these "quacks" (simply because they are greater in number)? In Orwell's "1984", Winston's tormentor does, in my opinion, speak something of value when he questions how it is that Winston does "actually" KNOW that his understanding of physical science is "true". For example, we are often forced to take the word of other (presumably honest) people, even in such seemingly "objective" areas as physics (I cannot afford to build a particle accelerator, for example, to ensure that the latest observations and results of experiments I read of in science journals are correct!).

Indeed, it has been argued (quite successfully on occasion) that even accepting one's own existence requires a certain "presupposition" which could be regarded as "a leap of faith".

Now.......with all of that out of the way.....I must submit that I do, in fact, agree with you! If for no other reason than for one singular point (which you have touched on). While I have observed many scientists willing to at least be open to the possibility that religious folks may be correct-that door doesn't seem to swing both ways!

Answer 2

What they try to assert is which you would be extra open-minded with regard to the potential for the existence of God or a god. in case you're open-minded approximately that then certainly you will see that if a supernatural/religious being did exist then the thought that a snake did communicate and somebody did stay interior a whale is achievable. honestly, in case you suspect that somebody or something did create each little thing, then each little thing else (miracles, talking animals, extremely long existence, and so forth.) that's recorded in sacred texts is achievable if that being brought about it to ensue because of the fact it/him did create the universe out of thoroughly no longer something. After that feat, inflicting a snake to communicate may well be no problem. i do no longer tell atheists to be extra open-minded, we basically conform to disagree and attempt to coexist. that does no longer recommend I compromise on doctrine or do no longer attempt to transform them it basically means i'm no longer a jerk in how I do it.

Answer 3

I personally beleive there is truth in every religion. As for evolution, I never reject it as an option, but I see it as a tool of God.

Answer 4

Yeah, I feel the same as you. I dont really understand it either.

In my point of veiw, being agnostic as I am, is the most open mind to have, because you neither deny nor believe in something that is unprovable; God.

Answer 5

You just have faith. Everyone thinks their religion or non-religion is better than each other. The truth is everyone prays to the same God, we just have different names for him in different religions. You chose what you wanted. I don't need proof of my God, Ihave faith.

Answer 6

Look up delusion in the dictionary.

Answer 7

I think there are so many open-minded atheists. we can't generalize here.

all those atheists to watch those movies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkZm2CxbdI0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmMlY_XG54c&NR

and visit this site
http://sultan.org

Answer 8

we all have opinions