Closed minds vs open minds

I'm so confused by this. Why is it that some people can believe in something with all their heart, but still be able to see another persons views, and understand, and some people are so rigid and stiff and only see things from there own point of view? Could it be a medical condition within the brain? Could it be a coldness within the heart? A hereditary trait? What do you think?

I'm putting this in Religions because this usually shows itself in this area....it may need to be moved...

Perhaps it is because some people are extremely strong willed and have a tendency to believe that they're always right, while at the same time religious convictions have deep roots and will often stay firm even when everything else about the individual changes.

Excellent post!

Some people seem to understand what a 'belief' is. Others seem to confuse belief for truth. And I think this is the perfect area for your post.

For most religious people, it seems to come from upbringing. While born into a Christian family (not really one anymore, although it is hard to overcome the 'knee-jerk' reaction programmed into me), I consider myself lucky enough that they encouraged questions, and the study of other religions. I was taught tolerance, and the concept of non-judgment.

My personal policy, if you believe it, then it's true for you; and if it makes you a better person, than what right do I have to try and change you?

Originally posted by southern_cross3
Perhaps it is because some people are extremely strong willed and have a tendency to believe that they're always right, while at the same time religious convictions have deep roots and will often stay firm even when everything else about the individual changes.

Yes...but there are plenty of people of all faiths that have those same deep roots within their religion that can still from someone else's view...and others that will actually kill someone for not believing as they do

Blind dogma prevents blind dogmatists from accepting any other possibilities than that which is in their indoctrination.

You do not need to accept the plausibility of an alternative explanation to believe that there could be alternative explanations of things. If you believe that there could be alternative explanations, whether or not you accept them or dismiss them on analysis, you are likely to be more tolerant of other viewpoints than if you have been taught (under fear of punishment or fire and brimstone) that there is one thing to believe.

I think this has little to do with genetics and everything to do with socialization by the most evil of the people who drive religions forward.

The inability for some people to accept when they are wrong is another matter altogether, as it doesn't surface necessarily in religious belief (where right and wrong are difficult to argue). But it must somehow be inter-related with the lack of disposition to walk in another's shoes and understand what takes them tick.

Originally posted by LadyV

I'm so confused by this. Why is it that some people can believe in something with all their heart, but still be able to see another persons views, and understand, and some people are so rigid and stiff and only see things from there own point of view?

Is very simple some come to this world to live but no see, while others come to this world to understand and to bring light.

Is not way that you will be able to make a person that doesn't want to see understand.

I am glad that is a lot of open minded people around here, in my case just because I don't follow religious groups does not mean I am closed to their views.

I perceived religion and spirituality in a different way due to personal experiences since I was a child.

Some people just seem not able to agree on others points and view for they fear it would be a sign of weakness...

Yes they are cold hearted and possibly if in a life or death situation they would also let you die.

Intelligence is the power to an open the mind and the knowlegde gain from it, is what keeps the open minded person on agreement in situations althought they may not belive all that others say but would spare their time to listen.

An open minded person seeks beyound that which is simple, as a close minded person lives for simplicity: thats where they limit themselves....

The closed minded knows only what it wants and is limited to it's understanding......

Open minded sees all views,
" How would you know what that book is about, since everytime I see it you have it closed?"

On the same note, some people who believe Jesus was not the son of God appear to believe strongly that he was not the son of God. Does that not make you just as closed minded as those who do believe Jesus to be the son of God?

I am using Jesus as an example because this is my first time on the religious forums here and I find some of the people I thought to be open-minded to be very closed minded when it comes to some thoughts. I am not a Christian and I do not "believe" Jesus to be the son of God, but I also do not "believe" Jesus to not be the son of God. I think we should look at everything as open-minded as possible. Never look at anything with an angenda already in mind.

[edit on 26-1-2005 by steggyD]

My reply to this would be one word. "ego"

Because of people's ego get's in the way of there better judgement they are distorted from what most of time is reality but cannot handle there ego or pride being altered and then become close minded.

But then again no one is invalidated and nobody is right after all.

The line between what we believe to be the truth and fiction is never really decided on person's truth is another person's fiction.

The best thing to do is don’t tell anyone anything, this way if people with ego's get there ego or pride stepped on they one day just wake up to some sort of reality.

Falcon

I believe it all adds up to feeling that you or your views are threatened by opposition. Why else would you care what someone else believes? I learned some time ago that people just are the way that they are and it has nothing to do with you or me or anyone except themselves. Their beliefs are not against you or yours; they are merely theirs.

You can except that someone is the way that they are or if not you attempt to change them. The first does not mean that you are going to become best friends with them, but rather that you accept that they are themselves and have nothing to do with your ego. The later of the two is a waste of time as the person, as I have already said, is who they are outside of you.

Individuals who accept another for who they are tend to understand the rational behind why another individual beileves as they do, but does not choose to believe as such. An individual which attempts to convert another is basicly searching for the confirmation from another that what he/she believes is worth believing.

[edit on 26-1-2005 by Jonna]

"Closed minded" is just a label put on people who refuse to believe the latest wacky religious fad that you do.

Its also a label applied by people who can hold contrary views easily to people who see through the fallacy of their beliefs. (cf: Being a supporter of SETI and also thinking aliens are here)

Its a negative stereotype used to dismiss and minimise others belief structures whilst at the same time making your own seem more important.

"At least I am not closed minded like those people there". thus speaks zetatalk / heavens gate / moonies / "insert cult here" members....



[edit on 26-1-2005 by Netchicken]

Originally posted by Netchicken
"Closed minded" is just a label put on people who refuse to believe the latest wacky religious fad that you do.

I don't see it that way...closed minded is deeper than not seeing religious fads. It's not wanting to allow others rights, not wanting people, "too" different than themselves....not able to walk in someone else's shoes mentally...not able to understand someone else' view or feelings...it's being stubborn to other's views.

But LadyV how many times have you heard the following...

"You are just being closed minded if you won't accept this"
"No I'm not ,what you're saying is hogwash"

Its just a label to minimise anothers views and increase self esteem of the accuser.

You can accuse me of being closed minded by not accepting your definition of the term. Yet all you are doing is minimising my viewpoint.

[edit on 26-1-2005 by Netchicken]

In my quest to maintain an open mind, I just try to remember one thing....

There are three sides to everything; yours, mine and the truth.

Interestingly, this was said to me by someone else, who I dislike very much(my old boss). Just proves to me that everyone has something of value to share, if we could just listen to them without judging.

Originally posted by Duzey


There are three sides to everything; yours, mine and the truth.

One of my favorites! It's usually said in reference to relationship troubles ans said a lot by their attorneys, "hers, his, and the truth"...but it certainly does fit anywhere!

Originally posted by falcon
My reply to this would be one word. "ego"

Because of people's ego get's in the way of there better judgement they are distorted from what most of time is reality but cannot handle there ego or pride being altered and then become close minded.

But then again no one is invalidated and nobody is right after all.

The line between what we believe to be the truth and fiction is never really decided on person's truth is another person's fiction.

The best thing to do is don’t tell anyone anything, this way if people with ego's get there ego or pride stepped on they one day just wake up to some sort of reality.

Falcon

Nice, very nice. I like this.

It is sort of how I live my life, yet it leads to many problems. For some reason, people want to talk so much they don't even listen to what other people are saying. At the same time, they want you to talk just as much, but they are never really going to take in everything you say. They just seem to want you to join in their often meaningless conversations. I tend to keep to myself, but then my peers think that I am some deranged lunatic who is planning on murdering all of them. Just because I won't partake in their nonsense.

Originally posted by Netchicken
But LadyV how many times have you heard the following...

"You are just being closed minded if you won't accept this"
"No I'm not ,what you're saying is hogwash"

What I am talking about is not because people won't accept whatever! Is that you you think? An open mind is being able to "see" the other person's side and accept that there are differences! It has nothing to do with "accepting' other than accepting that others have their own point of view! Accepting that others can beleive how they want to!

Does that not make you just as closed minded as those who do believe Jesus to be the son of God?

Not usually. most ( atleast that I know) people that do not believe him to be "Son of God" are also rooted in a belief that every one is entitled to their own beliefs as long as they dont infringe on someone elses.

Originally posted by stalkingwolf


Not usually. most ( atleast that I know) people that do not believe him to be "Son of God" are also rooted in a belief that every one is entitled to their own beliefs as long as they dont infringe on someone elses.

Exactly! Though how this got on just religion I don't know.....when I started it...I was think about many things that people are closed minded about....

I think religion may have come up because it tends to be something most people can identify with, a belief system. It is an example most everyone can relate with, and something most have had a first-hand exposure to, at one time or another.

And if we can understand the religious close-mindedness (I don't know if that's even a word), then we can apply that understanding to the other topics, as well.