The Folly of an Open Mind

[JaneEyre]

You know what the Chinese say about being close minded:

A closed mind is like a closed book - just a block of wood!!

[NightOwl]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I'm open to any truth.

I am closed to any lies.

The difference is proof, evidence, and credibility.

But should our minds not be open enough to consider other viewpoints presented, because we could think what we thought was true wasn't. Now to there are things that we shouldn't be open to, like sin
So in some ways an open mind is a good thing and others it isn't

[Felicity]

You have to be open minded enough to know when to close it.

[pelathais]

To be "open minded" is generally a good thing. However, we also learn from experiences. A negative experience will tend to teach us not to do that again. This is not being "closed minded;" it is simply being experienced and learning from it.

The accusation of being "closed minded" often is used as a rhetorical tool to belittle someone else's opinion or experience. Since the retort to this tool is often a lengthy explanation- the tool works; unfairly, but it works. So people try to come up with one liners as snappy come-backs; like "your brains will fall out." The end result is usually a great deal of heat but no light.

If understanding is our goal, then we should avoid clichés and go for the heart and not the mind, whether open or closed.

[Nahum]

Doubting God is sin.

Being skeptical of traditions of men is not.

Far too often we confuse the two.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Doubting God is sin.

Being skeptical of traditions of men is not.

Far too often we confuse the two.

Open mindedness is important in being led by the Spirit. But we need to be closed against errors. However, we must be open enough to realize what is error and what is not, to begin with.

I agree with one here who said we must be Bereans, who are wiling to search the scritpures. Open mindedness with searching the scriptures is important.

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by pelathais

To be "open minded" is generally a good thing. However, we also learn from experiences. A negative experience will tend to teach us not to do that again. This is not being "closed minded;" it is simply being experienced and learning from it.

The accusation of being "closed minded" often is used as a rhetorical tool to belittle someone else's opinion or experience. Since the retort to this tool is often a lengthy explanation- the tool works; unfairly, but it works. So people try to come up with oneliners as snappy come-backs; like "your brains will fall out." The end result is usually a great deal of heat but no light.

If understanding is our goal, then we should avoid clichés and go for the heart and not the mind, whether open or closed.

Great post pelathais.

It's just silly to accept all views as truth.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Doubting God is sin.

Being skeptical of traditions of men is not.

Far too often we confuse the two.

I would have to disagree. I think doubting God is being human and we have all done it at times. That is why we walk by faith. That faith gets us through the times of doubt.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

How many times have you heard the virtues of an open mind extolled?

Seems a lot of folks think an open mind is a great thing. It's as if demanding proof before granting agreement is a bad thing.

Wow....having an OPEN MIND has NOTHING to do with NOT demanding proof. In fact someone with an OPEN mind is very OPEN to the proof.

What you are talking about is not an OPEN MIND. Not sure what the word is for it. But someone with an OPEN mind is willing to look at ALL the facts and proofs one can bring up. Having an OPEN mind does not mean accepting ALL things as true without proof. Having an OPEN mind is a good thing.

For example: A Muslim without an open mind will not look objectively at whatever evidence you can present for Christ. A Muslim with an open mind will take a look at the evidence objectively..

Open mindedness means objectivity
Close mindedness means subjectivity.

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by CC1

I would have to disagree. I think doubting God is being human and we have all done it at times. That is why we walk by faith. That faith gets us through the times of doubt.

I think you just want to argue.

Truth: Unbelief is sin.

Truth: Doubt = unbelief

Truth: Doubt = sin