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Debate Info

69
65
Yes they are alot Not really
Debate Score:134
Arguments:81
Total Votes:148
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 Yes they are alot (41)
 
 Not really (31)

Debate Creator

Brainsikk13(80) pic



Are Christians often too close minded?

Keep in mind their thoughts on Homosexuality and Paganism.

Yes they are alot

Side Score: 69
VS.

Not really

Side Score: 65

Many of them are, but keep in mind that there are close minded people in every group. I think it's just more prevalent in Christianity because they view god as an unquestionable authority figure. Instead of taking the time to examine the logic behind each side of an issue, many of them are perfectly content accepting "god said so" as an answer without questioning why god would say such a thing.

Side: Yes they are alot
Thewayitis(4071) Disputed
1 point

It is not the Christians that take the Bible literally, but the atheists. Atheists continually site Bible verses as if they are fact, Christians know better. Who is close-minded and one-track-minded as well, not the Christians.

God hasn't spoken directly to man since the time of Jesus, that I'm aware of. How is it that one can say "God said so"? If you're referring to the Bible, i was written by man, not God. Man has only told man to do things. God didn't write the Bible. Get the facts straight.

Side: Not really
1 point

It is not the Christians that take the Bible literally, but the atheists.

Where in my statement did I say anything about taking the Bible literally? Most atheists I've spoken to know the Bible contains a huge array of writing styles. Some are meant to be taken literally, some are parables, some are symbolic, some are poetic, etc. You seem to be under the misconception that atheists don't know anything about religion. The reality is that they know more about religion that most religious people do, and that is why they became atheists. The Pew Research Center did a study on how knowledgeable different groups of people are about religion. It turns out that atheists and agnostics are more knowledgeable about religion than any religious group. Here is the study if you're interested. http://www.pewforum.org/U-S-Religious-Knowledge-Survey-Who-Knows-What-About-Religion.aspx

I used to be a very devout Christian who spent countless hours studying the Bible and the history of Christianity. That studying is what turned me into an atheist.

Atheists continually site Bible verses as if they are fact, Christians know better.

Christians are the ones who continually site Bible verses as fact. Atheists know it was written by men and is primarily a work of fiction.

God hasn't spoken directly to man since the time of Jesus, that I'm aware of.

Any why is that? Why does he play hide-and-seek now instead of just letting everyone know he exists and what he expects from us? You would think an all-powerful god would have a better method of communicating with us than a pieced-together book written by men that even his most devout followers can't seem to make sense of.

How is it that one can say "God said so"?

Christians say it all the time. Just Google "god said" and you'll see millions of pages where Christians claim "god said so."

If you're referring to the Bible, I was written by man, not God. Man has only told man to do things. God didn't write the Bible. Get the facts straight.

I'm well aware that is was written by men, but most Christian's I've talked to, including the pastors of every church I've ever been to, claim the words of the Bible were inspired by god. Haven't you ever heard them refer to it as "the word of god"? Just Google "the word of god" and once again you will get millions of pages of Christians claiming the Bible is the word of god. I'm glad you understand that it isn't, but most Christians don't seem to know that.

Side: Yes they are alot
1 point

Most Atheists probably haven't even opened a bible, myself included. It most definitely is the Christians that take it so seriously, because it sure as hell isn't us. And we are not close-minded. I think you are mistaking that for being logical, which we are. There is nothing wrong with your belief aside from that very fact. It is merely a 'belief'.

Side: Yes they are alot
4 points

The famous ones are.

Good christians are actually very nice and only use religion as a way to be better than they are normally.

This coming from a non religious person.

Side: Yes they are alot
Quocalimar(6470) Clarified
2 points

The reason i'm on this side is because you mostly only see the bad ones which kind of makes the good ones irrelevant, and to become relevant they have to become one of the bad ones.

Side: Yes they are alot
3 points

I say yes because why should we open up to the world's thoughts on things when most of society is against what I believe in and the rules? So of course us Christians are going to stick to God and the Bible and what God says in His book about certain things and to not follow what the world does or agree with them.

Side: Yes they are alot
2 points

I think specifically stating Christians is an un-fair generalization. However, nowadays, everyone seems to be close minded.

Side: Yes they are alot
2 points

Sorry, to the brothers and sisters in Christ. Really. I admit I'm a Christian. I really am. Nope, I'm not trying to blasphemy against God or Jesus. I love Him. He's the one who changed my life and keep me up in school without giving up. Anyway, back to the argument. I'm afraid, yes. That's one fact, I'm ashamed of from many believers. We act too self-centered, fake, and try to force someone to belief without giving space. Oh yeah, shouldn't we be arguing which truth is true or not? What kind of question is this? This is just arguing who is stubborn-er and have no point on arguing. More productive question to argue, please?

Side: Yes they are alot
1 point

Until recently I would have posted on the other side but my most recent interactions with Christians has made me doubt their motives sadly recently I have found them to be hypocritical, Homophobic and Exenophobic. I hope this isn't the majority and that I have been dealing with a vocifourous minority. As it stands I do not trust any organised religion I think their all as bad or good as each other and will continue with my own journey to enlightenment.

Side: Yes they are alot

The obnoxious ones are always louder, and generally put more effort into being noticed. Christians who don't have a problem with homosexuality, for example, don't generally feel the need to go online and rant about how okay with homosexuality they are. No, we usually end up hearing from the ones who have beef, unfortunately, and I can hardly blame you for doubting Christians as a group on those grounds.

Side: Yes they are alot
1 point

Telling people what to believe or not to believe or getting upset with people for that will never solve anything..it is just a band-aid..whether you are a homosexual, atheist, Muslim, any religion, any political view, you should have the right to believe in whatever you would like...But the WHOLE Problem Is when the anger begins...When you try to enforce your beliefs with harm to another because of judgment...If Christians believe homosexuality is a sin then fine...But it is not their duty to judge or punish that..as said by god...and a true Christian would understand that...But Christians should not be judged or criticized for not believing in homosexuality either...and should be able to say out loud without harm..

Side: Yes they are alot
1 point

I defiantly think they are they are for example "brain-washed drones" That follow the words of a book and once they read what god has said they refuse to let in any other theories. e.g. Creation. They think that highly probable theories are just rubbish because it's not mentioned at all in the bible or in gods word.

Side: Yes they are alot
1 point

not all of them, just heavily christian influenced families.

Side: Yes they are alot
1 point

How does a person become closeminded?

If you view the process on how the religious people are operating, you can trace down how they conceptualize arguments:

The religious like to back up their arguments and claims which appeal to the supernatural, numinous, divine, mystic, celestial, paranormal. In no case does this provide for any evidence, yet still they like to latch on this and use it to approve their ideas and theories for the real and tangible world.

- They support lack of consistent data to promote their ideas and theories.

- They cherrypick data from the bible

- Lack of objectivity and scientific research

- Full of biases

- Lack of intellectual honesty and integrity

If you look at their behavior you can find many, many impairments and flaws, they often have many issues concerning:

- Moral behavior

- Scientific ignorance

- Fear disorders (sin)

The religious miss a lot of resourcefulness to be courageous enough to think for themselves.

Side: Yes they are alot

To not accept anything as truth and to be skeptical until one answer shows more scientific basis than anything is in itself more open-minded than being apart of any religion, or possessing any spiritual beliefs.

Side: Yes they are alot

When some Christians use hatred toward Gay people, they certainly are close-minded and wrong.

Side: Yes they are alot
0 points

Being Christian, or of any religion, requires closed-mindedness. If they weren't closed-minded they'd see that the religion they claim to be a part of is in fact nonsense.

Side: Yes they are alot
Sitara(11080) Disputed
1 point

I am a Christian, and I am liberal, prochoice, progay, and probisexual. I know for a fact that we are all one human race. I am friends with a variety of people with a variety of viewpoints. Tell me again how close minded I am.

Side: Not really
Lynaldea(1231) Clarified
1 point

Ismalia, it seems as though you thoroughly enjoy flaunting your ideals and characteristics to prove.....what?

Side: Yes they are alot
nummi(1432) Disputed
1 point

I am a Christian

This says your mind is messed up.

, and I am liberal

Something to do with politics? Pointless.

, prochoice

So?

, progay

Being gay has nothing to do with genetics but the fact that genetics enables us our mind that enables being gay or straight or whatever else.

, and probisexual.

Refer to the "gay" thing.

I know for a fact that we are all one human race.

Really? Well, I did not know that.

I would've begun with "I am a human" and that's it. There's a reason I don't call myself an atheist or socialist or communist or whatever else, because I do not need any of that (I suppose because they all have lots of bias attached to them, and I really do not want that, so instead I look at things on my own and am free of mind, completely free). I know I am a human and that's pretty much all I need to know, the rest is what is.

I am friends with a variety of people with a variety of viewpoints.

So?

Tell me again how close minded I am.

You are very close minded.

Side: Yes they are alot
nummi(1432) Disputed
1 point

Also, if you didn't notice I wasn't talking about you in particular. But go ahead and make it about yourself if you want to (even though you already did).

Side: Yes they are alot
Brainsikk13(80) Disputed
0 points

I disagree about that. I'm Wiccan and we practice religious tolerance. We are open to other beliefs might be right. We are open to all sexualities and races. We strive to be an open minded belief.

Side: Not really
nummi(1432) Disputed
1 point

I'm not religious, and I'm open to everything that makes sense, is logical, is actually based on reality. Something based on fantasy and taken as real, and as a result requiring shutting out parts of reality, requires criticism to the opposite of its nature.

Being religious, following some made up scripture or any fantasy is being closed, at least partly, to actual reality.

Side: Yes they are alot
3 points

I am a Christian and I am a centrist prochoice progay proreligiousfreedom person who knows for a fact that we are all one human race. Tell me again how close minded I am.

Side: Not really
5 points

But the majority of Christendom doesn't think like you do. Most Christians are against homosexuality in some way or another and they generally oppose abortion. You stated the fact that you are "prochoice progay" as support for your assertion that you are not closed minded; it is fair to assume, then, that you believe antichoice and antigay sentiments indicate closed mindedness. When we consider, then, that most Christians conform to beliefs and behaviors that you yourself consider to be the opposite of your open-mindedness, does it really seem so unfair to you for Brainsikk to ask if Christians are often too close minded? You might not be closed minded, but then you're not a typical Christian. Typical Christians often believe in things directly opposed to your open-minded beliefs, so if we are asked if Christians are often too close minded, we can say yes.

Side: Yes they are alot
Cambriel(711) Disputed
3 points

Well, most of us. Im also a Christian or Catholic, and there are some things that we really dont understand. But first, Id like you to hear my point here. I do agree that most of us are close minded, but at some point, we also think about what other people are saying. Like, considering that there are such things as gays, atheists, and other gods. You do realize that, we are not close minded at all. Because most of us also believe in the art of science, and accept man's creation, like technology.. So with that, I could not conclude that we are close-minded.

As for they pro-gay stuff.. There are certain things that we just dont understand. With that example, I agree that we are somehow close minded. We just believe that there are 2 genders or being created by God, which is the woman and man. But, we do not close that fact that there are really homosexuals emerging from the two genders. Its obvious that we see gays now in our world.

Side: Not really
2 points

Fair enough. You unfortunately, are right. Thank you for the compliment. I do not want to be the typical Christian. I want to make a difference. :)

Side: Yes they are alot
3 points

Sadly most Christians aren't as open-mindes as you are. You are one against the majority. Though I do believe with younger generations more Christians are becoming more like you.

Side: Not really
Saurbaby(5581) Clarified
3 points

Yeah, I deserved that down-vote. Lol

Side: Yes they are alot
2 points

Thank you. that actually means a lot to me. Galileo is one of my role models. He had the nerve to challenge false beliefs within religion. I hope I am worthy to do the same. ;)

Side: Not really
Victorrr(2) Disputed
2 points

Good for you!! listen most of us said not all Christians were close minded, and im sorry but i honestly don't think your christian. your family might be christian but your not. and if you do believe in god and place yourself in the category of Christianity, then you are very loose christian which is a good thing because your political views are very good!! your not against gay marriage, your centrist, open to religions, and you aren't judgeful, so in general you seem like a wonderful PERSON just not a CHRISTIAN.

Side: Yes they are alot
Sitara(11080) Clarified
2 points

What I am called matters not as long as Jesus is my God. :D

Side: Yes they are alot
timber113(796) Disputed
1 point

Really? Being close minded has nothing to do with you accepting the common views of this modern society. Its really about if you change your mind easily or how well you analyze another person's point of view. You being pro all those things doesn't make you open minded, it really just says that you easily accept whatever theory floats around in the atmosphere and then cling to it until another movement comes.

Side: Not really
Sitara(11080) Disputed
1 point

Bull fucking shit. You do not have the right to judge me. I believe whatever the fuck I want, not what floats around. If you respond to this, I will report you. I am tired of cunty little bitches like you.

Side: Not really
Sitara(11080) Disputed
0 points

Leave me alone. I have no time for your stupid superficiality.

Side: Not really
3 points

well, while I am sure there are some, I am not closed minded...but then again it is never the center you end up having issues with it is the far end of the spectrum on either side. I am sure most people who practice the Islamic faith are not extremists...but it is the Islamic extremists who are the ones we always focus on isn't it!

Side: Not really
3 points

How can one say that Christians are too close minded when it is atheists that say there is no possibility that God could exist? One can not be anymore closed minded than that. Christians on the other hand believe it to be possible that God exists and act upon this assertion.

Side: Not really
3 points

Assuming the Christian and the atheist were both certain in their belief (LittleMisfit put up a good scale for atheists and theists who are less than sure) both are close minded to the same number of things. The atheist denies all gods, one more so than the Christian, who denies 99.99% of the gods throughout history but not his own god. So the Christian is more open than the atheist in this regard. Except that the Christian is also close minded to the possibility that there is no god, something the atheist obviously isn't close minded to.

The Christian denies all gods but one, which is more open than the atheist, but they also deny the possibility there is no god, which is less open minded than the atheist.

The atheist denies all gods including the Christian one, making him .01% more close minded than the Christian, but he's also open to the possibility that there isn't a god, something the Christian is closed to, making the atheist more open in that regard.

Overall both groups deny the same number of things conceptually. And compared to a belief system like agnosticism that denies nothing and says "i don't know" both systems are incredibly close minded.

Side: Not really
comasense(20) Disputed
2 points

I think atheists are no less or more close minded than any other religion...Their stance on god could either be "there is no god" (closed) or their may be a god but I do not know"(open)....one thought is open minded and the other is closed minded...That still does NOT exclude Christians from being close minded...It is entirely different..they both can be..

Side: Yes they are alot
comasense(20) Clarified
3 points

And that is where christians make their biggest mistakes by charging others with hypocracy and not dealing with their own...Its an old game called the "blame game" or "I know you are but what am I" excuse..Look at them and not at me...just because you can point out that other people are close minded does not mean you are not...

Side: Yes they are alot
Thewayitis(4071) Disputed
3 points

Atheist: a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/atheist

Agnostic:1. a person who holds that the existence of the ultimate cause, as God, and the essential nature of things are unknown and unknowable, or that human knowledge is limited to experience. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/agnostic?s=t

Now how can one that denies be open to anything?

Side: Not really
Elvira(3446) Disputed
0 points

That is like saying a seesaw is not touching the ground when it is tilted to the right, but is when it is tilted to the left. Prooving the existence of a god would require mastery of planar travel, (and you would get to proove planes exist at the same time :) ) and seeing one for yourself. Or you could really piss a less intelligent one off and get swatted in public, but I don't think there are any that stupid. Senile maybe, though. Agh, what am I planning?

Side: Yes they are alot
1 point

Who downvoted?

Side: Yes they are alot
2 points

i'd say ignorant, not necessarily close minded

Side: Not really
2 points

Ignorance is often the result of closed-mindedness. Close-minded people don't like to hear opposing viewpoints, so they don't study them and are therefore ignorant of them.

Side: Yes they are alot
RandomDude(1286) Disputed Banned
1 point

screw you!

Side: Not really
2 points

Compared to what and who? All religious groups are bound by religion to be close minded...And almost all are hypocrites...especially Christians...I myself am 33 and have been to many Christian Church's and met many people and none have lived by the Christian law...But this is not their fault..society today is at fault..the teachings of today are all simply self serving..all Church's that were first assembled were not for worship but for helping the hungry,homeless and lost...it was originally a support system for anyone who needed it..now its just another exclusive club paid for by members with money to feel good about oneself...we submit to our own environments, knowledge and only willingness and new knowledge can bring you toward another view..we can only learn what were taught unless you have contact with outside sources and other views.....we are not born with this kind of knowledge...

Side: Not really
comasense(20) Clarified
2 points

also I say "especially Christians" only because It is the most wide used religion around the world...and many people practice it in different ways...

Side: Yes they are alot
2 points

Athiest, agnostic, christian, tree, grass, desk, dvd, teleivison, the letter a, the number 1...all man made labels with man made definitions....but truth remains...with what knowledge are we born with? either godly or instinct or just blank....what would we become with no teachings of god at all?

Side: Not really
Elvira(3446) Disputed
2 points

We have instincts that drive us to the most profitable and pleasurable means. If there was an omnigod, how come we like things that are bad for us, like drugs and chocolate? Why would a deity program humans with an overwhlming motive to break deadly sins it states?

We are our experiences, we 'watch and learn' and that makes us us, my fvt. theory anyway.

Side: Yes they are alot

No. Stop assuming that all atheists are a clone of Mr.Flanders.

Side: Not really
2 points

Often times to me, at least, the conservative ones. You aren't open to change. The Bible isn't law I'm sorry. You can't flaunt your Bible verses and treat them as fact. Your religion is no more right than any other religion that exists.

Side: Not really

Today somebody actually thought i was an atheist because i am pro-gray marriage, (i am catholic by the way).

Side: Not really
2 points

Been there, done that. I have been called lying liberal Muslim filth. Ugh. :'(

Side: Not really
1 point

I don't think many Christians are close minded. We just don't easily accept whats common, and that is mistaken as close minded all the time. In fact many people Christians talk to are probably as close minded as we are being accused of however we are the ones branded with this term just because we dont accept everything so easily

Side: Not really