The Folly of an Open Mind - Page 19

Pastor Keith · #**181** 10-21-2007, 09:52 PM

Quote:

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. In fact, if you disagree with any ill-conceived, hair-brained ideas that irrational thinkers pose you are considered "close-minded" and, of course, that is the worst sin imaginable to those with no real core values.

Consider this little truth. If you can't consider the possibility that the idea you are presenting is false, you are the one who is close-minded. Close-minded people are the believers who insist some incredible fantasy is true even when there is a complete lack of evidence to support it.

It is my opinion that those who perpetuate the myth of open-mindedness as a virtue do so hoping that you will fall for false doctrine, wordliness, and outright fiction.

So call me a monolithic skeptic, but I refuse to open my mind to some things. My mind isn't a trash can, and I won't allow anyone to toss garbage in it.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8

Some doctrines are not true, so I refuse to accept them. Some are not genuine in their arguments, so I refuse to listen to them. Some topics are disgusting, so I walk away.

Some thoughts, arguments, and ideas should not be entertained.

Why?

Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

God commends and rewards seekers with Faith, not those that are open minded (very PC).

To put it another way, to illustrate this.

How many of us would invest money with a broker that was open to making us a profit?

We would think that to be foolish. We want someone short of illegality to make us money.

How come being being open to spiritual things is suddenly a virtue, God is seeking seekers who will reach out with a heart of faith.

revrandy · #**182** 10-21-2007, 10:03 PM

Close Minded folks don't do much for God...

RandyWayne · #**183** 10-21-2007, 10:04 PM

I think every single person who has posted here has a slightly (or greater) definition of what it means to be Open or Close minded.

Again, if being Open minded is NOT a virtue I am STILL waiting to hear if being Close minded IS.

stmatthew · #**184** 10-21-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vrblackwell

I think there is a misconception here of what it means to be closed minded.

The first time an individual hears about homosexuality, he must be open to hear it in order to kn it is. Once he has heard what it is, and he examines the facts, then he knows that it is wrong. At that point his mind should be closed to hearing arguments about it being right. To do so would begin the stage of entertaining the idea of it being right.

However, his mind had to be open to hear new things before he ever knew that it was wrong.

I can be open minded into different methods of how to do something better, or faster, or easier.

But I think it is foolish to open myself up to every wind of doctrine that comes along just so I can test its validity. I am opening myself up to eventually become tossed to and fro.

stmatthew · #**185** 10-21-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revrandy

Close Minded folks don't do much for God...

It all depends on what you classify as "doing for God". I see a lot of running, but little real benefiting the Kingdom.

RandyWayne · #**186** 10-21-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

I can be open minded into different methods of how to do something better, or faster, or easier.

But I think it is foolish to open myself up to every wind of doctrine that comes along just so I can test its validity. I am opening myself up to eventually become tossed to and fro.

You have pretty much described the Scientific Method. Building a working model and as more is learned the validity of the model either gains or looses strength. The CLOSE MINDED person will not know when to abandon the model.

CC1 · #**187** 10-21-2007, 10:21 PM

I admire the fact that PP can start a thread with a false premise and have this many pages and posts!

mizpeh · #**188** 10-21-2007, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC1

I admire the fact that PP can start a thread with a false premise and have this many pages and posts!

For CC1: http://www.newscientist.com/article/...penminded.html

CC1 · #**189** 10-21-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizpeh

For CC1: http://www.newscientist.com/article/...penminded.html

The link won't work for me!

stmatthew · #**190** 10-21-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

You have pretty much described the Scientific Method. Building a working model and as more is learned the validity of the model either gains or looses strength. The CLOSE MINDED person will not know when to abandon the model.

You are correct. In natural type things I am always open for improvement.

But in spiritual things I am only going to open myself up to the Word of God, and the leading of the Spirit. The bible is clear that there are seducing spirits that would like nothing better than to slip in some doctrine of demons into my beliefs, and take me off my heavenly coarse. Call me closed minded all you want, but being saved is more important than anything.