Why are so many christians closed-minded? (my rant)

I went to a christian chat room on MSN. We were discussing the validity of the scripures and was it faithfully preserved by the early Orthodox Church. I politely listened to this person's opinion but when I gave my views on the subject, the moderator kicked my out.

Christians shove their views down your throat but they don't want to hear what the other person have to say.

It's wrong!

I know, and its even worse, is that they believe its right. Now understand that all christians aren't like that. But alot of the fundamental demoninations are.

And you have to understand that some forums may not be designed for debate... some are designed for members of that religion to simply have an online community, or a place where people can learn about a particular faith. Kind of like our main religion forums, actually. We have an area for informational use, and others for discussion and debate. That is why I read those forums and simply ask questions, and share my own opinions in a forum like this one.

my best advice... don't get angry, be amused...

for example....

a couple of months after 9/11 my good friend Lone Wolf was walking to work through down-town. He was stopped by a man who started talking to him about normal enough stuff.... then came the question... "your not christian are you?"
"No" answered Lone Wolf
"if your not christian your a terrorist." the man said and began a long rant about how America is a christain nation and has always been a christain nation and that everyone elce was a terrorist. God doesn't like terrorists and Lone Wolf had better watch out, becaue he was on to him....
Lone Wolf politely excuesed himself and went to work.... supressing fits of laughter.
When he told the rest of us the story we had a big laugh and made it our running joke for a good long time. :lol:

wa:-do

Thank you all for your imput. :clap: Runt, that might be the case. When I read the subject, I assumed that it might be a room for all religons but It turned out to be Christian. My motive wasn't to debate, I thought I had a chance to discuss my beliefs and why I believe what I believe.

I have always felt that Christians that are closed off, don't really believe deep down that they are correct in their thinking. If you truly believe what you think and feel no other beliefs can threaten you.

Rudy said:

Thank you all for your imput. :clap: Runt, that might be the case. When I read the subject, I assumed that it might be a room for all religons but It turned out to be Christian. My motive wasn't to debate, I thought I had a chance to discuss my beliefs and why I believe what I believe.

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Rudy I think there is such a fine line between debate and learning, with learning comes questions though.

I feel this is where most religions go wrong. But of course most religions are carried down through the family tradition so questioning is mostly out of the question <--- that sounded weird.

But in any case thats why we have the forums here. For everyone to enjoy good solid debate and encourage good solid learning.

I attend a Christian school (yes, pity me) and I think I know the reason for the general intolerance and close-mindedness of many Christians. It stems from two things. First of all, the general Christian is not very well educated on his own religion, and feels threatened when introduced to new ideas, primarily because the person introducing it to them is perceived as being more knowledgeable and informed. Also, because many traditional Christians' lives are given a sense of security and normalicy because of their structured community that they have belonged to for possibly their whole lives, they do not want that support system to go away, for any reason. Mabey I'm totally off but I do live in that culture and I think im at least partially correct...
mabey

I have been kicked off quite a number of Christian forums because of my liberal Christian views. The US Bible Belt type of fundamentalist Christian finds me particularly hard to take! Some even believe that women should be submissive to their husbands, something that makes me choke. My daughter is an Anglican Priest, we are very proud of her, but a number of times I have been told that she is wicked to want to be a leader in the church, as women are not meant for this role! If I had £1 for every time I was told that I am demonically possessed, and in league with Satan, as we live in a haunted house, I would be moderately rich by now! Mostly it is water off a ducks back, but from time to time I retaliate and then I get kicked off the forum, LOL!!!!

rudy i find patience is the best way to be with those who argue narrow-mindedly. please read my topics on facts, opinions, and beliefs; truth and conscience; and absolute truth. this may clear up the problems u face.

I am a Christian and I don't consider myself close-minded. On the contrary, it is the non-Christians that are truly closeminded because they refuse to even accept that we have beliefs that we hold so dear that we would stand beside them no matter what happens or what someone says. Is that wrong to have that kind of belief. If so, than who is intolerant?

LCMS Sprecher said:

I am a Christian and I don't consider myself close-minded. On the contrary, it is the non-Christians that are truly closeminded because they refuse to even accept that we have beliefs that we hold so dear that we would stand beside them no matter what happens or what someone says. Is that wrong to have that kind of belief. If so, than who is intolerant?

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I know that many non-believers are intolerant and even hostile toward Christianity. I hope that I stand apart from tthat crowd. But I have been know to return like feelings - I'm sorry that I am not strong enough to overcome that even while remaining civil.

I make a great distinction between Christianity and Christians. I appreciate the individual who would model the love of neighbor that Christ so grandly epitimized. However I find that Christianity too often tends to place that as a secondary influence and has a priority of making the world in an "organizational" image. Here in America, the right of religious folk to implement a secular mirror of sectarian viiews stops at the border of my views and vice versa. I have tolerance for the individual but little for the "organized" individuals.

I think the major difference is that alot of christians feel that the only way someone can "go to heaven" is through christ. No other way, this is what is closed minded about them. But alot of other religions such as buddhism and taoism feel that enlightenment comes through one's self, no matter how that is achieved. Very openminded compared to christians or muslims.

At my stage of life right now, I feel that I am very much close minded, completely sealed. You're correct, the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. I am at the point that I feel I have found the greatest treasure I can ever possibly know and its more precious then rubies and all the things I could even desire can't be compared. I just can't see how enlightenment comes through one's self but rather through the love of my God and His Son. To me a self enlightenment would be a fabrication of my mind. And at my state of understanding why would I want to even fathom about opening my mind up lest it slip away.

What would constitute an open minded individual. One that believes and accepts everything. If that were the case, there would be no such thing as individuality. Christians listen to plenty of other viewpoints, but choose not to accept them on grounds of their religious beliefs. Just because Christians don't accept everything that is thrown at them does not make them close minded.

"You're correct, the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ."

If only it was true that heaven exists or jesus christ really has anything to do with it. To me, they are just stories.

"I just can't see how enlightenment comes through one's self but rather through the love of my God and His Son."

Easy, god and his son are fabrications of your mind therefore even if you get enlightenment from chrisitanity it comes from within you, not without.

"To me a self enlightenment would be a fabrication of my mind. And at my state of understanding why would I want to even fathom about opening my mind up lest it slip away."

Since your idea of god and his son is not identical to anyone elses, even your idea of them is a fabrication of your mind. And how could your mind slip away? And how do you know that it wouldn't slip away into true enlightenment?

"What would constitute an open minded individual."

One that realizes that the possibilities for truth are far greater than what one percieves. And that no one religion is better than the other or more true than the other but all contain some truth and some falsehood. Some more truth, and some more falsehood. Not so much believes everything, but understands that many things are possible.

"Christians listen to plenty of other viewpoints, but choose not to accept them on grounds of their religious beliefs."

That is being closed minded. Being open minded would see that their religious beliefs may be wrong.

I have generally had very good experiences with Christians. In fact, the people at my Catholic school were some of the most loving and tolerant people I have ever met. It may surprise some of you to know that there are a few gay teachers at my school (though they are not openly gay).

I can only speak from my own experiences, but I have to say that most of the Christians I have met are open minded individuals.

Master Vigil Quote: "That is being closed minded. Being open minded would see that their religious beliefs may be wrong."

So it could be said that if you don't accept something then you are close minded. You don't accept Christianity, wouldn't that make you close minded?

LCMS Sprecher said:

Master Vigil Quote: "That is being closed minded. Being open minded would see that their religious beliefs may be wrong."

So it could be said that if you don't accept something then you are close minded. You don't accept Christianity, wouldn't that make you close minded?

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Wouldn't it be how the question was approached? The view may be reatined even after an open-minded approach.

Growth in faith is difficult without an open mind.