Which is the more closed minded?

Question

Following a Religion
or being an Atheist?

Answer 1

Most of all, the answer depends on the individual person. Both theism and atheism are acceptances of propositions which cannot be tested. The theist says "I know there is a god, because such and such a text says so," but the truth of the assertion can never be verified. The atheist says "I know that there is no supernatural being which transcends physics and measurement, because I've never seen evidence of such a thing," but the nonexistence of such a hypothetical being can never be verified. Each can be described as a matter of faith, because each belief depends on unverifiable beliefs.

Answer 2

Neither. Closed-mindedness is independent of one's faith or lack thereof. Just as there are theists and atheists that decline to entertain the arguments of the other, there are those of both groups that do openly let new ideas tumble about in their minds.

The popular misconception is that atheists are the more open-minded as the synonym "freethinker" is often applied to them. I believe that this is because of the comparison to a world that tends to be religious more often than not. In modern times, then the stigma of atheism is not as pronounced, I feel that this synonym is no longer applicable. Indeed, an atheist that later becomes religious can easily receive the same vitriol from the community of atheists as an apostate to some religion. The only difference is the numbers that are involved.

Answer 3

LOL. A great way to employ manipulation.

An open mind does not mean believing the delusions that other people have. I don't fault a child for believing what they are told. After all, they are children. I have a different standard for mature, intelligent, responsible adults. I have a higher standard for educated people.

Following a religion is not a demonstration of an open mind. To follow a religion one must close themselves off to evidence that disputes the the religious claims. A religious person who makes a decision to "believe" and to the end of time is not demonstrating an open mind, but a commitment to an idea and in the face of contradictory evidence. Nazis were also committed to their ideals and dogma.

Let's not forget the role of religion in history. Many 'Inquistions' were launched to torture and kill people who wouldn't believe. Most people are unlikely to stand up and be counted in the face of such torture and killing.

If you could be killed for enjoying philosophy, would announce it to the world.

If you were a child who could be harmed for not doing as the adults taught and instructed, would you cling to a belief or remain steadfast in following a process involving evidence and thought.

If use enough social pressure, I can get you to believe almost anything. Many closed religious societies in North America use the same principle of shunning to control people. Believe or face isolation by everyone in your community. A difficult thing for any human who fears being alone.

Being an atheist is no different than being a non-believer in the tooth fairy. Childhood and social myths are just that -- myths.

Answer 4

Imagine a football player psyching himself up for the big game. He tells himself "God is on my side. I am unstoppable."

The Atheist comes along and tells the Athlete: "You are such a moron! First off, if there was a God, He certainly wouldn't pick sides in football game. Secondly I've got 50 years of football statistics, and it’s obvious you are not even remotely unstoppable.

Now is this Atheist being factually accurate? Probably.
Is he helping the Athlete win the game? Probably not.

Atheists certainly have grounds to question the factual accuracy of many Religious beliefs, but to what end? Enlightenment?

Can someone who’s never been off the planet truly have any grasp of what is, or isn’t in the universe?

As I see it, both Atheists and Believers are running on faith. Believers at least are picking a faith that makes them feel good.

Answer 5

Probably being an Atheist. I'll probably get many thumbs-down for this.

Atheism is a belief, too, though. You believe that there isn't a God, or gods. That's very specific.

Isn't Atheism different from Darwinism? I think it is. Therefore, it is a belief, and that makes it the more closed-minded, because evidence of a creator is being ignored. Ignorance and closed-mindedness are basically the same things.

(Disclaimer: All just my opinion. I'm answering the question.)

Answer 6

I, a religious person, happen to think religious people are a lot less closed-minded than atheists, so I'll say atheists. But atheists think atheists are a lot less closed-minded than religious people, so they'll say religious people.

Either way, I guess we're even.

Answer 7

Religion....consider what you can lose from Religion...your freedom to live your life...considering it is possible to achieve immortality and so many people believe erroneously that by dying they will achieve immortality ha ha ha... while an aethiest understands that "god" is just a group of people with higher technology than we can see and currently obtain....Religion is slavery used to conquer societies and enslave people..... i don't care what others think... live life and be happy... if the boogie man is waiting for me upon my death does that mean I sjhouldn't enjoy my life?what bully has ever been nice to a coward because the coward was afraid of the bully?

Answer 8

Not to have a religion is very dangerous, we have to have something to govern our action, to make our conscience aware, and to have something or someone to thank for, for what we have, and what we are, In my case He is God. And to know that all of our actions have a consequence, (jails and institutions are full of people that don't think of the consequences), otherwise we take things for granted, and our lives will be empty and hollow, At the same time we have to watch out for fanaticism, and blind faith. Organized Religion is one thing, Spirituality and faith are something else, find yourself, know yourself, Soon we can find out that: "The Truth can set you free". and when you are true to yourself, life can be lived and enjoyed, not just lived. I don't have to ask what is the meaning of life?, but how can I give meaning to my life

Answer 9

That's like comparing fruits (religion), to strawberries (atheism). They are not similar classes or scales. Perhaps you should phrase the question as a specific religion vs. another specific religion or vs. a specific atheist group?

Answer 10

i think having a religion is more closed minded.the religion that i have is not really closed minded but some religions are very closed minded.