Because im a christian does that mean im narrow minded?

Question

I see on here all the times things like Christians are narrow minded and they don't like to try and see other possibilities. Well i have a question, why? I'm a Christian and graduated valedictorian of my class. I do expand my horizons with different thoughts, but it doesn't mean I have to agree with them or believe in them.Just because I choose to believe in God do you automatically assume I know nothing about Charles Darwin, evolution, survival of the fittest, the big bang theory, etc? I'm not hear to boast about anything, but trying to get my point across that their are plenty of Christians who are indeed smart and very open minded. Saying im narrow minded for not accepting science theories is the same thing as me saying you are narrow minded for closing your mind to the fact (to atheist) that there is no God. As far as i am concerned I never put down atheist for not believing, but when i answer questions you throw at us Christians all of a sudden im narrow minded (Continued)

and stuffing things down your throat, but why?

Answer 1

Well said. I think there are many knowledgeable Christians who choose to believe in God because it makes sense and it feels right. I do not think science and Christianity are incompatible so I do not see why we are classified as narrow minded. I think it is a way to discredit us and therefore ignore us.

Answer 2

J, You had asked, but removed a question today. I'd like to respectfully reply to "My question ignored...":

You raise a few points. I'll try to give you an earnest answer or two.

You mention a "belief" in evolution and the big bang. I think you will find that most who are influenced by scientific research are not working on a faith based belief in scientific theory. Let me say a word on what a theory is before I go on.

The word theory, when used in the scientific sense, does not necessarily run contrary to the word fact. The word theory, as you have mentioned it, "guess", is the common usage and is a misrepresentation of what a scientific theory is.

Now, like any scientific theories, the two you mentioned are based on observations and correlations based on those observations. Certainly the Big Bang and its attendant theories are based a lot more or correlation than observation.

The thing is, new observations will change these theories. Faith in them will not be allowed to stand in the way of changing them. They have replaced other theories before them. They are more clearly called a conclusion, than a belief.

Pause for a second, and please consider the validity of what I say. This seems to be a recurrent theme with many Christians, the idea that Science and religion are competing belief systems. It isn't true. A Scientist can be a man of faith and a man of faith have confidence in the scientific method.
Now many people do ask for proof, that is to say creditable evidence of supernatural clams. The fact is, I am sure you do as well. Clams of physic powers or even the miracles that some sects of your own religion clam probably leave you wishing to know more before you draw a conclusion of their veracity.

I wonder about the details of evolution, and have strong doubts about what most of the very abstract reasoning in the Big Bang and attendant theories. There is, however, considerably more creditable evidence for both, than for the existence of God.

I don't mock you for you faith, rather respect your right to have it. There can be a lot of compelling reasons to believe, and I'm sure yours are. I, on the other hand, feel compelled by what can reasonable called credible, objective evidence and do not believe.

Answer 3

I totally understand what you're saying. I too have enjoyed learning many other things, but have my faith and beliefs firmly planted into God! I don't think that a person can prove or disprove any argument without knowing all sides. I believe if a person doesn't learn many different objectives, then how can he decipher which to be correct or have a intelligent debate over the issues. Learn and grow, but always know that the road that leads to the LORD is a narrow one.
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Mt 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."

Mt 7:14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Lu 13:24 "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."

God Bless

Answer 4

Nope! I am sorry if you have been treated in such an ill manner. If you ever read any of my answers I do not lump all Christians into any one group. There are narrow-minded, and ignorant people in any and all groups. It just seems like most of the Christian people who answer here are rather close-minded and not open to other ideas. Like they have blinders on and cannot see that it is OK for others to believe differently. Those people are really fond of preaching and making a point to tell people that if they are not Christian they are going to hell!
Personally I do not expect everyone to agree with me, but I do expect everyone to respect the differences! I have friends in all walks of life and in just about every religion that most people are aware of. There is mutual respect and we are aware of and can appreciate that we are different.

Answer 5

There are christians that do think, sadly very few show up on this forum. You beleive in god, I applaud your stance, unless you try and quote the fantasy called the bible to support your beleifs. Then we digress. I have had an several occasions tried to have discussions with christians on many different subjects. They all come down to the bible and it is true because it says so. sorry I am not biting.

Answer 6

The nut-jobs on both sides enjoy nothing more than polarizing issues and ignoring the grey areas. For the fundie Christians you can't be a true Chrisitian and believe evolution as a fact. Likewise many athiests can't understand someone who believes that we evolved from more primitive life forms could possibly believe that there IS a loving intelligence behind the universe.

For me the two are NOT mutually exclusive but compatible. I do believe that Jesus died for my sins and I believe that from a physiological standpoint that I'm a hair-less ape.

Answer 7

You raise a valid question. My response must begin with another question though.

Given the hypothetical situation that there is definately no deity, answer this: is there a deity/god?


If your first instinct, and continuing reflex, is "but there IS!" -- You are closed minded.

If your first instinct was, "but there IS!", though you pushed that aside and then answered the hypothetical as it was stated -- You are open minded.

If you didn't even have such a thought that there is (according to your beliefs) -- Your brains are dripping out your ears, you might be a little TOO open minded.

So you tell me if you're open minded or closed minded.

Answer 8

It's because your faith plays out in community life. People don't like that God has an absolute standard for right and wrong behavior and that most American laws are based in Biblical standards. Varying views of morality will always be in direct conflict with an absolutist view point. So you will always be labelled "narrowminded" on issues of morality. Like the whole "gay" issue. Discussing beliefs and ideas are always a neutral zone of objectivity it's acting on them that creates conflict.

Answer 9

*smile* don't forget Jesus said that the road to life was narrow. So don't worry, Christians get accused of lots of things. Just continue speaking the word of God in love, that is what we are asked to do.

Answer 10

You can remind her that our great country was build upon the idea of freedoms. One of those is freedom of religion. While you understand her feelings for her own religious choice you'd prefer if she'd not demean your choices. If she can't or won't do that then start bashing on her choice of religion.