Adding Reply Archived Topic: It will not be bumped to the top of the forum. Topic Open-mindedness Membername   Not a member? Sign Up Free (takes 20 seconds) Password   Forgotten your password? Post Font: Verdana Arial Black Georgia Comic Sans Impact   Size: Tiny Normal Big Huge   Color: Default Dark Red Red Orange Brown Green Olive Cyan Blue Dark Blue Indigo Black [ Check Spelling ] [ Post Preview ] [ LiveTags ] FAQ Keyword Search: Post Options Favorites Manager Notify me of new replies to this topic by email Notify me of new replies to this topic by private message Original Post Praise the Lard Posted at 9:41 am on July 4, 2009 posting this here because i know at least one of you will find fault with it

Replies Blackadder Posted at 10:25 am on July 9, 2009 some general points (most of which seem so obvoius it appears most people have missed them): a) open/closed mindedness is not an absolute; you can be completly closed minded when it comes to theories of God, yet, after losing your house keys, be very receptive (open) to your mates suggestions as to what-the-fuck happened to them. b) the sceintific method is open minded. However, the sceintists that try to follow this doctrine are also people, and therefore, they are also prone to 'mistakes' c) its probably false to assume that athiests are open-minded. take me as an example, I might well make the very open-minded statement: "I'll believe in God when I am presented with satisfactory evidence".... but what does "satisfactory evidence" here mean? I think, in honesty, this very point demonstrates my own closed-mindedness. If a giant hand came down from the sky and professed to be god I would not accept such a claim. Instead, I would try to work out whether it is a magic trick, or ask myself whether I am sane (have i taken hallogenic drugs?, for example), or wonder whether it is aliens (since the idea of tech-advanced aliens seems far more logically plausible than the existance of god.) Bascially, I would consider any plausible account in a desperate search to avoid the obvoius conclusion; god exists. Its like Sagens dragon*, just reversed: them "in my garage, there is dragon" me "prove it" them "here, it breathe fire!" me "thats not proof,  fire happens all the time" them "but you can fucking see it!" me "yeah, but I am actually insane, so i'm going to see a whole load of shit that doesn't actually exist" them "but millions of people have seen my dragon" me "well then, millions of people are insane" ...and so on,,, *http://www.godlessgeeks.com/LINKS/Dragon.htm     Forever Angel Posted at 10:00 pm on July 8, 2009 Quote: from Praise the Lard at 10:04 pm on July 8, 2009 You fail to earn the benefit of the doubt in this situation from the opinions on this site.   In regards to your accusation that I am a "closed-minded anti-theist," I'm very open to evidence of the existence of a deity. But until I have been presented with any evidence for the existence of some sort of high power with purpose and intent, I will not believe in a higher power. That would be like me calling you a "Bible-thumping Neo-conservative icetwat." No need to resort to ad hominem attacks here, sweety. I wasn't making an accusation, merely an observation based on your responses, dear. Praise the Lard Posted at 8:04 pm on July 8, 2009 You fail to earn the benefit of the doubt in this situation from the opinions on this site. In regards to your accusation that I am a "closed-minded anti-theist," I'm very open to evidence of the existence of a deity. But until I have been presented with any evidence for the existence of some sort of high power with purpose and intent, I will not believe in a higher power. That would be like me calling you a "Bible-thumping Neo-conservative icetwat." No need to resort to ad hominem attacks here, sweety. Event Horizon Posted at 7:59 pm on July 8, 2009 No. I begin with the benefit of the doubt; after observation I have found you closed minded. I might be interpreting what you are saying incorrectly, or making hasty assumptions; but I can't help my opinion, really. Forever Angel Posted at 7:48 pm on July 8, 2009 Quote: from Event Horizon at 8:58 pm on July 8, 2009 Quote: from Forever Angel at 9:53 pm on July 8, 2009 Quote: from Event Horizon at 8:47 pm on July 8, 2009 More-so that you seem unwaveringly unreceptive to any logical arguments against God. And when you have exhausted your real --and often times interesting-- arguments, you insist that you are still right, and that everyone else is missing something...   Maybe not though, like I said; don't know. Did you not say this...  Quote: from Event Horizon at 7:54 pm on July 8, 2009 If you consider a possibility then you are open minded. you needn't necessarily accept that it is plausible. One can deny that something is valid, and still be called open-mined. ??? I did. I do not believe that you actually consider the options though. Like I said, maybe you are open minded; but from what I've seen from you, I get the feeling that you hear arguments and just find as much opposing ideas to throw at it before finally you just say "Bah, it's wrong". I'm not sure you actually consider that it might be a valid point... So your opinion of me fails to even give me the benefit of the doubt? Event Horizon Posted at 6:58 pm on July 8, 2009 Quote: from Forever Angel at 9:53 pm on July 8, 2009 Quote: from Event Horizon at 8:47 pm on July 8, 2009 More-so that you seem unwaveringly unreceptive to any logical arguments against God. And when you have exhausted your real --and often times interesting-- arguments, you insist that you are still right, and that everyone else is missing something...    Maybe not though, like I said; don't know. Did you not say this...   Quote: from Event Horizon at 7:54 pm on July 8, 2009 If you consider a possibility then you are open minded. you needn't necessarily accept that it is plausible. One can deny that something is valid, and still be called open-mined. ??? I did. I do not believe that you actually consider the options though. Like I said, maybe you are open minded; but from what I've seen from you, I get the feeling that you hear arguments and just find as much opposing ideas to throw at it before finally you just say "Bah, it's wrong". I'm not sure you actually consider that it might be a valid point... Forever Angel Posted at 6:53 pm on July 8, 2009 Quote: from Event Horizon at 8:47 pm on July 8, 2009 More-so that you seem unwaveringly unreceptive to any logical arguments against God. And when you have exhausted your real --and often times interesting-- arguments, you insist that you are still right, and that everyone else is missing something... Maybe not though, like I said; don't know. Did you not say this... Quote: from Event Horizon at 7:54 pm on July 8, 2009 If you consider a possibility then you are open minded. you needn't necessarily accept that it is plausible. One can deny that something is valid, and still be called open-mined. ??? Event Horizon Posted at 6:47 pm on July 8, 2009 More-so that you seem unwaveringly unreceptive to any logical arguments against God. And when you have exhausted your real --and often times interesting-- arguments, you insist that you are still right, and that everyone else is missing something... Maybe not though, like I said; don't know. Forever Angel Posted at 6:44 pm on July 8, 2009 Quote: from Event Horizon at 8:39 pm on July 8, 2009 Your hopes will fall short. I'm not going on a wild-goose chase through the cacophony of posts to find times that have affected my decision that you are theologically closed-minded, just so you can try to show me why I'm wrong lol I'm not sure my opinion on the matter is that important to me that I want to try to prove it...You may very well not be; the effort is not worth a definitive answer on the matter.   The fact that there is little "evidence" for either side of the theological debate leads me to believe your impression is probably more from the fact that we disagree than from any rejection on my part of said 'evidence'. And your admission of it being a "wild goose chase" would further bolster my thoughts. Event Horizon Posted at 6:39 pm on July 8, 2009 Your hopes will fall short. I'm not going on a wild-goose chase through the cacophony of posts to find times that have affected my decision that you are theologically closed-minded, just so you can try to show me why I'm wrong lol I'm not sure my opinion on the matter is that important to me that I want to try to prove it...You may very well not be; the effort is not worth a definitive answer on the matter.   Forever Angel Posted at 6:33 pm on July 8, 2009 Quote: from Event Horizon at 8:30 pm on July 8, 2009 I personally DO believe that you are closed-minded; based on many of the things I've seen you argue for/against.   Maybe not in all cases, but certainly in many--mostly [if not all] pertaining to theology. Rejection of evidence and support without base is certainly closed minded; and I personally believe that you do that from time to time. I do hope you can show me that "rejection of evidence" you mention. Forever Angel Posted at 6:32 pm on July 8, 2009 Quote: from Event Horizon at 8:26 pm on July 8, 2009 Lol at answer.com definitions   Anyway. It is stupid to restrict open-mindedness to "favorably receiving new ideas" since I may not favorably receive them. I will certainly entertain a new idea; but if I find it wanting or contradictory, it would not be closed minded for me to say so. Don't be one of those people who subtly change things to fit your rebuttal... there was no "favorable reception of new ideas" in those definitions. Event Horizon Posted at 6:30 pm on July 8, 2009 I personally DO believe that you are closed-minded; based on many of the things I've seen you argue for/against. Maybe not in all cases, but certainly in many--mostly [if not all] pertaining to theology. Rejection of evidence and support without base is certainly closed minded; and I personally believe that you do that from time to time. Forever Angel Posted at 6:28 pm on July 8, 2009 Quote: from Event Horizon at 8:23 pm on July 8, 2009 I would not automatically consider you closed-minded, then. So, where does that leave us? It leaves you in the minority of atheists, most of whom (here on LW) have declared me close minded, lol. edit: or worse. Event Horizon Posted at 6:26 pm on July 8, 2009 Lol at answer.com definitions Anyway. It is stupid to restrict open-mindedness to "favorably receiving new ideas" since I may not favorably receive them. I will certainly entertain a new idea; but if I find it wanting or contradictory, it would not be closed minded for me to say so. Most recent 15 of 76 previous replies displayed.