Do you think atheists, by definition, are close-minded?

Question

If so, why?

Obviously, Lord of the Flies, but I didn't.

NickName, you're lacking on the "why" portion.

Tuberoot, you could just as easily say something childish like "all atheists are ugly" and you would get your thumbs-down. Badge of honor?

Answer 1

a close-minded atheist would be one who says, "God can't exist because..."

Most atheists I know say, "I've looked at all the evidence i can find, and have concluded that God does not exist." There is always new evidence coming in, and atheists know that, so they constantly retest their conclusions. So, NO.

Answer 2

Of course not. Open minded means that we are able to change our minds when presented with new facts. As a child I was told god created the heaven and the earth and an old book said so so it was true. Later on I heard that Darwin spent years studying and coming up with his theory of evolution and there were obvious changes in beaks and rock strata yield chronological layers of fossil development, and all that seemed a lot more likely and well thought out than the old book's theory.

If some scientist came up with a better solution today, with more facts, more evidence, then I'd have no problem dismissing evolution entirely. I wouldn't stubbornly hold onto evolution because it makes me feel good or because I already understand it so I don't want to have to learn anything new, or because all my friends hadn't heard the new theory yet.

This goes either way. Prove an old idea and I will toss away the new. But without proof you haven't a leg to stand on. What other possible criterion could a reasoning human being base his beliefs on? "Feel's good" is not an answer. "Eases my fears" is not an answer. "Meets my need for a father figure to depend on" is not an answer. "All my friends and family believe it" is not an answer. "Gives me hope for life after death" is not an answer. Those are all either self-delusions or bald faced wishes, and I know lying is wrong and wishing accomplishes nothing.

Answer 3

Yes.

Okay, they do not need any proof to swallow what it is they believe. Yet, they deny that emphatically. So therefore, they are in denial about something they have no clue of; that is not scientific.

So, while they are espousing Atheism, they admit to being unscientific (ipso facto), and therefore illogical to the Methods of Science. It is obviously important to Atheists, for many are here every single day preaching it.

They attribute logic to other things perhaps, but by definition, they are irrational and faithful to their beliefs about what they think is the sum of God's existence.

I would not ask for logic from a people who are by definition wandering away from the very precepts they attest to, and yet living in the conflict of their own denial.

You cannot get a rational answer from such a person whose demeanor is set so deep in denial. They will rationalize their answers, some by avoiding the question, and some by denying the charge.

Yet, people in denial react by acting accused because they feel like they are under pressure. They feel guilty.

EDIT: I bear all thumbs down on my answer as a badge of courage and honor.

Answer 4

Definition: Intolerant of the beliefs and opinions of others; stubbornly unreceptive to new ideas.

I do imagine that, yes, some atheists are close-minded. However, some who claim to be "Christians" are close-minded as well.

Mankind in general tend to be "stubbornly unreceptive to new ideas". When one is not willing to truly listen to another's opinion, it creates static. Some atheists are caught up in the theory of evolution, etc. Vice-versa.

As a Christians we should heed the apostle John’s words not to take our religious beliefs lightly or for granted. “Do not believe every inspired expression,” he warns, “but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.”—1 John 4:1.

Consider the good example of certain “noble-minded” people who lived in the city of Beroea in the first century. They “received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things [spoken by Paul and Silas] were so.” (Acts 17:10, 11) Yes, while eager to learn, the Beroeans made sure that what they heard and accepted was firmly rooted in the Scriptures.

Today, too, genuine Christians are not influenced by the ebb and flow of popular views but cling firmly to Bible truth. Wrote the apostle Paul: “This is what I continue praying, that your love may abound yet more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment.”—Philippians 1:9.

If you have not already done so, make it your aim to acquire “accurate knowledge and full discernment” by learning what the Bible really teaches. Those who imitate the Beroeans are not deceived by the “counterfeit words” of antichrists. (2 Peter 2:3) Instead, they are set free by the spiritual truth of the real Christ and his true followers.—John 8:32, 36.

Answer 5

Close-minded is just another way of saying someone refuses to be convinced into believing the way someone else does- so yes, atheists are close-minded. You also have to say that by that definition Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc... are close-minded as well. Based on my experiences, thought processes and beliefs, I do believe in God. However, I respect everyone's right to disagree with me, or believe in a different form of God than I do. The problem isn't whether a person is close-minded in their beliefs, it's whether they are tolerant of a person who believes differently.

Answer 6

Yes, just as a person with a specific belief is closed minded. Close minded has such a negative connotation in our society. Whats wrong with believing youre right?

Answer 7

An atheist is someone who does not believe in god. That is the only thing common to all of them --- so it is obviously impossible to make any generalizations about them.

Answer 8

Atheists believe only if there is a proof (no faith). Faith is the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things that are not seen.

Answer 9

I'm not athiest, however, I dont think they are closed-minded. I feel that just have a hard time seeing the evidence of a creator.

Answer 10

Not necessarily close minded, but often guilty of that which they detest.

1.Many religiously hold to empiricism even though they can't prove we can't have knowledge of anything other than empiricism (knowledge gained from the senses via observation, deduction, science, etc.)

2. They are adamant about pushing their world view on others.

3. They think their worldview is the "right" one.

4. They are often guilty of the same intolerance they despise because they often have no tolerance for religious people or people whom are different from themselves or have a different take on things.

These are things I have observed just on YA alone.