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Arjuna

- 2 years ago

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How closed minded is the average person when it comes to exploring other religions?

I remember in either high school or the first days of college a teacher who was discussing her son. She said that she was raising him in the Catholic Church even though she didn't believe in a lot of its teachings. She said that she didn't know what else to raise him as since she was raised a Catholic herself. Isn't that just odd? There are many religions out there that could have served her needs and she still was with one she didn't agree with.

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There is a lot of talk here about closed-mindedness. I believe that we all wish that we were open, but in reality some portion remains biased.

I would say, to answer your question, fairly closed minded.

No need to be "open minded" when you are right. I know a f*****g ton about dozens of religions and none of them offer any credibility or really serve any purpose to me.

This is one area where the Baha'i Faith can provide a breath of fresh air!

One of our central teachings is Individual Investigation of Truth--that EVERYONE has both the right and the duty to investigate the various religion, decide where the truth lies, and follow that!

And this applies to our children, too: We have the obligation to see that they're instructed about as many religious beliefs and viewpoints as possible (Baha'i schools assist in this). For example, when my son was six, he was already in a comparative-religion class in Baha'i school that was teaching that each one was good and legitimate--NOT evil or to be avoided!. Then, once the child reaches the Age of Maturity (15), he or she has the right to choose whether to become a Baha'i, something else, or nothing at all! And the parents MAY NOT interfere in this decision!

Works great for us! :-)

oh and to answer your question, im pretty much close minded to explore any religions based on the combined sum total disaster of each of them. Religion is DEAD except for book sales. It's all about money and power anyway.

Odd? This question is odd. You say a religion to "served her needs". What in this world are you talking about?

thats plain messed up. "Picking a religion?". I think you said something like this before and all i can really say is its time for you to start advising people to pick NO RELIGION. Why do you think God is some sort of cotton candy choice?

We don't need religion to be good people period.

I strongly maintain that religions are simply human constructs to try to prove one's righteousness to a God who is not looking for us to prove anything.

Running a bit with this, I think the mind tends to close when it comes to religion because we do believe the religious lies that (a) the right kinds of works can prove righteousness/cancel out unrighteousness and (b) God is expecting us to prove our righteousness or else . . . .

Now IF a person becomes invested in this religious process of proving righteousness, the perception is one will lose on their investment if they don't themselves uphold and defend the construct by which they feel they will prove valuable in God's sight. The closing of a mind means the spiritual trap is sprung.

The only way to escape the trap is to admit nothing we can do will prove our righteousness or garner favour with God; forfeit all one believes they have invested in religious paradigms; and start fresh with the realization that the child doesn't have to prove anything to the parent. They just have to live and love and grow.

well, judging by some of the response on some other threads, I gonna guess, pretty closed minded.

If you review many of the responses on SP you can see how difficult it is for others to go on that exploration once their minds are made up...

I believe the average person following a particular religious system will be open if there our doubts...

However, I have found most closed book religions are pretty closed minded...and would rather debate than listen...

Very, very close minded. I had a roommate who would talk to the door to door mormons for hours at a time, just trying to get them to realize that everyone has their own beliefs, and they simply just don't get it. (not mormon bashing, plenty of other religious people do the same)

now you did say average person so that is my response, but i have met many people who follow one religion, yet respect, and admit that other religions may be acurate as well. most of them realize the vast similarities in religion grossly outnumber the differences.

When it comes to God, best not to try to fit in a box.

I hate most of them, Love the Buddha though.

I was only close minded when I called myself a christian. those days are long gone.

@Arjuna

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SoulPancake

Arjuna

How closed minded is the average person when it comes to exploring other religions?

loudinrich

There is a lot of talk here about closed-mindedness. I believe that we all wish that we were open, but in reality some portion remains biased.

northstop

I would say, to answer your question, fairly closed minded.

K4T4N4

No need to be "open minded" when you are right. I know a f*****g ton about dozens of religions and none of them offer any credibility or really serve any purpose to me.

BruceDLimber

newmusic

oh and to answer your question, im pretty much close minded to explore any religions based on the combined sum total disaster of each of them. Religion is DEAD except for book sales. It's all about money and power anyway.

newmusic

Griz

melb2

well, judging by some of the response on some other threads, I gonna guess, pretty closed minded.

DrParker

Darth_Mathias

Guitardds

When it comes to God, best not to try to fit in a box.

Wolfson

I hate most of them, Love the Buddha though.

purelife

I was only close minded when I called myself a christian. those days are long gone.

How closed minded is the average person when it comes to exploring other religions?

There is a lot of talk here about closed-mindedness. I believe that we all wish that we were open, but in reality some portion remains biased.

I would say, to answer your question, fairly closed minded.

No need to be "open minded" when you are right. I know a f*****g ton about dozens of religions and none of them offer any credibility or really serve any purpose to me.

oh and to answer your question, im pretty much close minded to explore any religions based on the combined sum total disaster of each of them. Religion is DEAD except for book sales. It's all about money and power anyway.

well, judging by some of the response on some other threads, I gonna guess, pretty closed minded.

When it comes to God, best not to try to fit in a box.

I hate most of them, Love the Buddha though.

I was only close minded when I called myself a christian. those days are long gone.

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