Is Atheism an open minded viewpoint?

[Mike Cl]

GSO and SGOS, both of you caused me to stop and think a bit more about open and closed mindedness.  I agree--too much importance is given to being open-minded; whatever that means.  It's one of those catch words/phrases that don't get looked at closely enough.  The more closely one looks at those terms, the less meaning they have.  Much like the terms 'logical' and 'sincere'.  Just because one uses logic does not mean that the final outcome is logical or true.  Potolomy suggested a couple of thousand years ago that the earth was the center of the universe.  It was accepted as fact for way too long.  There were many logical observations made based on that fact--that the earth was the center of the universe.  But that did not keep those observations from being false.  When the word 'logical' or the phrase 'that is only logical'  is used, one needs to look closely at that and try to understand where the logic comes from.  Sincere is used way too often to excuse bad behavior.  Just because somebody has a sincere belief about something does not in any way make it accurate or true.  "He is a sincere christian" is used to denote a person who is just such a great guy, because he is sincere.  Hell, to me it means he is especially blind, close-minded, and willfully ignorant.  He revels in his stupidity.  For me it is a danger signal--stay away.  So, I guess I'm becoming more and more close-minded as I age.

[aitm]

I believe getting drunk and driving while drunk is wrong....but I am open-minded to it.
I believe fucking little children is wrong....but I am open-minded to it
I believe throwing your momma off a train is wrong....but I am open-minded to it.

Yeah, being open-minded can mean lots of things.

[Mike Cl]

I believe throwing your momma off a train is wrong....but I am open-minded to it.

Yeah, being open-minded can mean lots of things.

Somebody was --they made a movie about it.

[Solitary]

Don't mean to be disingenuous.  I am not sure I agree with your last statement though.  I don't think you meant quite what you said.  Science is compatible.  Atheism is not compatible but only with religion.  Going further religion is compatible with sound logic and critical thinking since we have no way to disprove God.  As for myself God is ludicrous.  But there were very sound reasons to have created God and very sound reasons to continue.  Looking from the religious viewpoint there is no reason to think God does not exist.  That is thereby very rational.

Science is not compatible with religion because science deals with evidence, logic and sound reasoning and is self correcting and tentative. Religion is about absolute knowledge and feelings, or delusions and subjective experience. There may be pragmatic reasons for religion, but that doesn't prove it is true. Pragmatism only proves that it is correct when it fails.  "Looking from the religious viewpoint" That could also be said about people that are insane.  You are being disingenuous because you call yourself an atheist and ask questions from a religious viewpoint. This entire topic is irrational and not logical because it is based on confirmation bias which no atheist would ever do. Atheism is not based on confirmation bias, it is based on logic and common sense not feelings and hopes or fears like religion is. We don't go from an atheist point of view and confirm it, we go by the view if something has no reliable evidence to support it, and the things it says have and can happen are impossible in the world we live in like immaculate births that produce male offspring, and people coming back after being dead with rigor.  Solitary

[Givemeareason]

I agree, which is why when people bring up being open-minded I enjoy saying I'm not. Open-minded and closed-minded are poorly defined terms and overgeneralize how people process ideas. People are more receptive to ideas that fit with their values and view of how the world works and less receptive to ideas that contradict their values and views. Whether someone is receptive or not depends on the person and the idea. Being open to every idea isn't necessarily good and there is value in skepticism.

For those who are truly open-minded I have crystals that absorb negative emotions at very reasonable prices.

It has become clear to me that I am really just asking you guys to rehash the same old ideas that have undoubtedly been gone over countless times before.  I need to settle down here, form an identity, and start participating.

[Mike Cl]

It has become clear to me that I am really just asking you guys to rehash the same old ideas that have undoubtedly been gone over countless times before.  I need to settle down here, form an identity, and start participating.

No shit, Sherlock!!  You have not answered one question, yet.  You evade or ignore.  I doubt you are capable of defending any statement you have made.  I'm really unsure of why you even bother to visit any board.  When you come to a board, start threads, you give the impression you are interested in learning something.  Apparently I am wrong in your case.  You are not a troll--just a zero.  You don't really participate in any discussion.  You are not even fuzzy--you are not even there.

[Givemeareason]

I agree, which is why when people bring up being open-minded I enjoy saying I'm not. Open-minded and closed-minded are poorly defined terms and overgeneralize how people process ideas. People are more receptive to ideas that fit with their values and view of how the world works and less receptive to ideas that contradict their values and views. Whether someone is receptive or not depends on the person and the idea. Being open to every idea isn't necessarily good and there is value in skepticism.

For those who are truly open-minded I have crystals that absorb negative emotions at very reasonable prices.

Being open minded is simply the ability to assume another point of view.  I like to be as open minded as possible but of course I cannot escape being subjective.  If someone is really stupid I might even assume that point of view.  But of course one should be skeptical when taking that point of view.

[Givemeareason]

No shit, Sherlock!!  You have not answered one question, yet.  You evade or ignore.  I doubt you are capable of defending any statement you have made.  I'm really unsure of why you even bother to visit any board.  When you come to a board, start threads, you give the impression you are interested in learning something.  Apparently I am wrong in your case.  You are not a troll--just a zero.  You don't really participate in any discussion.  You are not even fuzzy--you are not even there.

You get excited too easily, Mike.  But nothing like being blunt.  In my view we are all zeros but we try to become something.  Don't you agree.

[Mike Cl]

You get excited too easily, Mike.  But nothing like being blunt.  In my view we are all zeros but we try to become something.  Don't you agree.

:))))  Really?  That is 'excited'????  Kinda calm, for me.  I love your name here--Givemeareason.  To date, you have not given one reason for anything you have asked about.  It seems you don't have reasons for anything.  You are so busy being open minded to everybody.  Chameleon would be a better name for you.  Or BlowingInTheWind.   

[Givemeareason]

:))))  Really?  That is 'excited'????  Kinda calm, for me.  I love your name here--Givemeareason.  To date, you have not given one reason for anything you have asked about.  It seems you don't have reasons for anything.  You are so busy being open minded to everybody.  Chameleon would be a better name for you.  Or BlowingInTheWind.

If I am asking about something it is not up to me to give reasons.  I am asking you for reasons.  Why do you think I have to give reasons?  I can give reasons for many things.  I think I am pretty opinionated as people go.  But I certainly don't think a person becomes opinionated unless a question occurs to them.  The problem with most opinions though is when people don't ask enough questions.  I think we are now making rather fiundamental observations of human behavior.

[Solitary]

Some people are so open minded their brains fall out!  Solitary

[Givemeareason]

Some people are so open minded their brains fall out!  Solitary

Are you being opinionated?  I have never seen anyone whose brains have fallen out.  :-)

[GSOgymrat]

Being open minded is simply the ability to assume another point of view.  I like to be as open minded as possible but of course I cannot escape being subjective.  If someone is really stupid I might even assume that point of view.  But of course one should be skeptical when taking that point of view.

I think of the ability to assume another's point of view as a component of empathy rather than being open-minded, although we have already discussed how "open-minded" is poorly defined. I consider open-minded as being receptive to an idea. For example, I think I have some understanding of the appeal of Christianity and what it is like to be a Christian. Christians feel a connection to something bigger than themselves, that they are not alone, that death is not the end, that justice will eventually prevail, that there is always God's love and eternal grace, that there is a grand plan and a purpose to life. They are connected to a fellowship who are available for support and they have traditions which provide structure and comfort. I have some understanding of the Christian point of view but I am not open-minded, I am not receptive, to the idea of Christianity or becoming a Christian. I see their point of view and but I am not receptive because my own point of view is too different and incompatible. I could say I was open-minded to Christianity, because to some people being open-minded is associated with being fair and reasonable, but I'm honest with myself enough to know I am not really open-minded on this topic. I can't think of an argument or evidence that would make me accept the Bible as the word of God and only through Jesus can someone be saved.

[Mike Cl]

If I am asking about something it is not up to me to give reasons.  I am asking you for reasons.  Why do you think I have to give reasons?  I can give reasons for many things.  I think I am pretty opinionated as people go.  But I certainly don't think a person becomes opinionated unless a question occurs to them.  The problem with most opinions though is when people don't ask enough questions.  I think we are now making rather fiundamental observations of human behavior.

Why do I think you should give reasons?  I guess because, (stupid me) that we would have a discussion.  How can you have a discussion if ideas and reasons aren't discussed?  I don't care about other opinions--just yours.  That is what a discussion is--a give and take between two people--and I guess whoever else on this forum wants to join in.  As of yet you have not given one reason for anything.  That leads me to believe you are basically fucking with us.  What other conclusion can I come up with???

[Givemeareason]

I think of the ability to assume another's point of view as a component of empathy rather than being open-minded, although we have already discussed how "open-minded" is poorly defined. I consider open-minded as being receptive to an idea. For example, I think I have some understanding of the appeal of Christianity and what it is like to be a Christian. Christians feel a connection to something bigger than themselves, that they are not alone, that death is not the end, that justice will eventually prevail, that there is always God's love and eternal grace, that there is a grand plan and a purpose to life. They are connected to a fellowship who are available for support and they have traditions which provide structure and comfort. I have some understanding of the Christian point of view but I am not open-minded, I am not receptive, to the idea of Christianity or becoming a Christian. I see their point of view and but I am not receptive because my own point of view is too different and incompatible. I could say I was open-minded to Christianity, because to some people being open-minded is associated with being fair and reasonable, but I'm honest with myself enough to know I am not really open-minded on this topic. I can't think of an argument or evidence that would make me accept the Bible as the word of God and only through Jesus can someone be saved.

That is very rational nor could I do such.  I wish fundamentalists could view us as something other than militant god haters though.