? for the Non-Believers!

[4dmin]

I totally disagree that simply being "Christian" automatically makes anyone "closed minded" to everything. It only makes them "closed minded" to one thing. Just because they choose to believe in something deeply doesn't make them "closed minded". Maybe it just makes them "convinced".....Don't confuse strong conviction with closed mindedness. They are similar, but not the same.

the first two sentences contradict.

I'm sorry how many practicing christians do you know that read up or have researched other reiligions other than maybe a google search or a class they had to take. exactly.

now lets take you average christian, and i will quote chuck on this "50% of christians will not be in heaven"... i'm sure many of the people you know will fall into this, b/c they maybe your Xmas/Easter people or the Sinner Sunday people (sin all week go to church on sun)... i'm sure all of these people are top theologiest in their spare time

and back to what you posted... if you strongly believe in one thing then you are closed minded... if i'm wrong please explain to me what close minded means.

[Jaimecbr900]

the first two sentences contradict.

Not really. If you are closed minded about 1 thing, it doesn't mean you're closed minded about EVERYthing. That was my point.

I'm sorry how many practicing christians do you know that read up or have researched other reiligions other than maybe a google search or a class they had to take. exactly.

Many actually. I can name one right off the top of my head....his name is Paul. You were raised one thing and now are another. You are my exhibit A.

and back to what you posted... if you strongly believe in one thing then you are closed minded... if i'm wrong please explain to me what close minded means.

Ok, I'll bite then. How bout this?:

You strongly believe in one thing. How's that make you, by your own admission, "open" minded to anything else then?

My point is that being strongly convicted about one thing, doesn't automatically make you closed minded about everything else. One vs everything. That's my point.

[Ncturnal]

You don't need to get fucked in the ass to figure out that's NOT what your ass is supposed to be used for. It's logical and scientifically proven, therefore it is not a matter of having to experience it firsthand. Just because some people decided that's what they want to user their ass for doesn't mean everyone else should try to see that it's not something they wish to try. It's very similar to organized religion and alot of people's beliefs. Some of the things people chose to believe to me are just as silly as getting fucked in the ass, but if that's what they want to do, then have at it, because I really don't care. Just don't try to convince me it's the right thing to do because you want to justify your own beliefs.

The definition of "faith" says it all: a firm belief in something for which there is no proof.

Contrast that with the definition of belief: conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidence.

I can't help but laugh to myself everytime someone mentions faith and belief in the same sentence.

[Ncturnal]

What about if you highlight that part instead of the other? Wouldn't it apply?

Reality: something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily; actual fact.

Where is this "reality" that you speak of? Sure, if it was a reality, it would apply. But it's not a reality....it's faith in a belief.

[Ncturnal]

Definitions always put things in perspective. Take for instance....

REAL -
a. not artificial, fraudulent, or illusionary (see GENUINE)
b. occuring in fact
c. existing as a physical entity and having properties that deviate from an ideal
d. having objective, independant existence

IDEAL -
a. existing as a mental image or in fancy or imagination only broadly : lacking practicality
b. relating to or constituting mental images, ideas , or conceptions