Why do Christians expect people of "no faith" to be open minded when they tend to be the ones who are closed.
539351
its an issue of faith perhaps...as an atheist you are not bound by any desire or "code" of what you can or can not subject yourself to...\nas a christian, why would someone want to expose themselves to something that goes against their faith and against god, doing so might get god rather pi$$ed at them and then he won't cure their aunt or help them find their hat when they pray.  ok, that was pushing it a bit far...but you see what i'm saying?  on one hand someone has a code of conduct to not expose themselves to certain things, and on the other you do not....now its not like it is written in stone (no pun intended) that christians not read or look at atheist things...but its acted as if it is...never mind christian scholars who study non-christian subjects to be able to refute them....i guess they are just making a sacrifice for the rest.  \npretty much ever religion has this sort of built into it anyway...if it didn't people might be constantly jumping sides as they learn about other religions...the point of a religion is to get and keep followers, and that requires keeping alot of people in the dark.  since religion has no actual physical "law enforcement" for it, it does it using threats of eternal damnation.
617064
I agree. Many times on this site, I'll see a good question, and then some well intentioned Christian say, "you just have to have faith," or "faith isn't about logic."  It's quite irritating.  I know I have so much to learn and am ignorant myself, but it seems like some people check their brains at the door when it comes to faith. God wants us to love him with all our minds as well.  \n\nRejecting worldy wisdom doesn't mean we're supposed to be ignorant.
357579
People who have such closed minds never read beyond what they believe to be true, therefore they just make up arrogant assumptions about others. Rather like that dumb cow who thought she should pray for me and my wife because she 'assumed' our marriage was weak! \n\nAssumptions are the mother of all f**k-ups!
32498
because it's pointless to get into a fact based argument with a religious person. You have 'faith' in your religion - which means you believe what it tells you NO MATTER what else you may see or hear. That's why non-religious folks tend not to get into it with you.
755409
Of course, whoever is open minded is tolerant. Mostly all religions encourage tolerance towards those who are not theirs, but few people actually practice it. \n\nThe problem is that the idea that they have that those people will perish and are sinful creates a barrier. They tend to look at disbelievers and other religious people as inferior as they won't be saved. \n \nMany atheists do not respect and tolerate theists. They too take believers for inferior beings. \n\nPeople who are more into mysticism are more tolerant. Note that mostly all religions have a meditation/mysticism part, like in islam there is sufism. Hinduism have many mystics n meditations, buddhism is all about it. \n\nI find these type of people more tolerant. But of course there exists exceptions like myself, i'm agnostic but I do not look down at people.
368994
boya, i like the way you think.  i wish more people in this world, christian or no, were so open-minded.\n\nthe answer to your question, as far as i can reckon, comes down to basic nature of humanity.  it's not that most christians are simple-minded, it's because humans in general are sad, insecure, paranoid, greedy, lying, mistrusting, and pathetic little creatures!\n\nand, of course, it's the worst of these that tend to be the loudest...
481011
That would be faith...or ignorance.  Depends on how much thought goes into it.\n\nPersonally I view faith like this:  If someone believes in god, the bible, etc.  More power to 'em!  However, if you present a different point of view, and they cover their ears, close their eyes and scream, "Lies!"...that's not faith, that's ignorance.\n\nIf they ignore your question and quote the bible...the same book they know nothing about, that's ignorance\n\nIf they KNOW they're right and you're wrong, that's ignorance.\n\nIf they believe in God with knowledge, understanding, acceptence, and reservation that while their faith is absolute, that there are other possibilities, or that we are too ill informed or lack the understanding to comprehend the workings of the universe...that's faith.\n\nTo be agnostic, like I am, means you don't have faith.  Personally, I don't have a clue what's going on.  I know the bible isn't accurate, we've proven Genesis to be wrong 100x over.  However, I do agree with many of its teachings.  How did we get here?  Dunno.  How does life work?  Dunno.  Is there a God?  Dunno.  Is God as the bible describes?  Probably not, but dunno.  Good news about being agnostic is it allows you the freedom to think and examine.  You're not stuck in an organized religion that recites the same thing to you day after day.  Your free to analyze and accept that there are somethings you just don't know.  On the one had its very liberating.  On the other it carries responsibility because you don't have something to blame, or to believe will take care of you...you lose the "knowledge" that everything's under control.\n\nSo, I'm all for agnostic.  I'm comfortable knowing that I don't know. I LOVE studying theology, laughing when a religious person avoids thought, and learning when a religious person makes a good point.\n\nFor examples:  Look to spur4eight.  He'll make intelligent arguements for Christianity.  I disagree with many of them, but hey...that's faith.  For ignorance, look at Mainworry.  He'll ignore questions completely that require any sort of thought towards religion, and reply either with biblical quotes or insults.
489275
I agree with you. Some people have weak minds, and need religion to support them. For some of these people, it's a benefit, for others, a mental parasite. Some people have strong minds yet still hold religious notins dearly. That's the way things are.\n\nI have neither. I am an atheist and a satanist, so I am just giving my outsider's observations.
531866
Because they are too lazy and closed minded to actually think things through properly.\n\nMost people would rather plaster a tag on everyone that actually consider the fact that we are all individuals.\n\nSomeone answered a question under religion by saying Christians are lazy and sheep-like, but the truth is that many non-Christians are just the same, they'll follow the crowd rather than making up their own mind.  God created us as free-thinking individuals on purpose, and while some say it backfired by allowing evil to enter the world, the fact is that God has many many followers all over the world who have all chosen to follow him, rather than just blindly allowing themselves to follow the crowd.
1152109
probly the best answer is Fear.  They are afraid of your wisdom and of the potential influence your beliefs may have on them.  On another side... they are speaking from what they know... but from the example you've shown,, that person simply is closed-minded and isn't willing to accept any faith but their own.\nSadly, many people are like that.  It is one thing to speak from experience, but it is truly another to speak with judgement. The spiritual path you choose to take is your choice alone.  There is nothing wrong with advice, provided it is given without judgement and spite.\n\nThat is My take on it, anyway...
924508
We call these people hypocrites.  Others may say, it is because people don't really understand the Bible and invent their own interpretation.  Then other want to act cool to others and do other things behind close doors.  Then others say "God gave us the choice to believe in Him or not to believe in Him.  In the end we all will be judge.
1004231
Perhaps they are angry because they feel like they are not part of the inheritance and resent your confidence that you are. It's not good to judge others but it is natural  I guess, in the fallen world. I have moments of doubt too. It's not easy to love your enemy, especially when you don't want any enemies. If they say you are ignorant, remember, judge not for as you judge you will be judged. Remember also that wisdom appears foolish to a fool. It is not our place to convert. Maybe that has to do with the resentment. I don't know, but I think your delicate manner is a good example of kindness in the face of adversity. You are tolerant and in my opinion a good embassador for Christianity, if you are a Christian. Oh, and YES!,  you do make sense.
36234
A lack of faith. The feeling that they have time to decide. Not wanting to change their lives. Deception of false beliefs. The thinking that they really can't be that bad--that God will accept them with their sin( Sin is sin to God. it doesnt matter what it is). That they can do it themselves. rebellion against God. A hardened heart against the truth of God's Word. Thinking that it really can't be that simple.  The freedom of choice that God freely gave to all man. Peer pressure to think that this is foolish. These are some of the reasons that I can think of that people reject Jesus as the way.  It is so sad that so many people think this way. Because the punishment for our sins is death. Nothing we can do will ever be good enough to appease the wrath of a Holy and sinless God. Thankfully He is loving, merciful and gracious, and allowed a way out and that is through the gift of His Precious son in our place. Then it is up to the individual to believe this and accept this wonderful gift.
944582
they tend to think very little, and let their pastors tell them how to think and what to say to people.\n\nif they believe something as error-filled as the bible, obviously that occurs with very little thought, or none at all...
809831
I am very open to having logical, intelligent conversations, and even debates, with people that respect MY belief as well.\n\nI respect people's right to believe what they want, and have no problems with it until they begin condemning, name-calling, or just being outright rude (the whole sit down and shut up comment from my brother/sister would get a good butt-kicking...).\n\nIt is sad and disturbing that SOME Christians find it easier to just hate everyone who is different from themselves then to actually LEARN something new.  Ask questions, discuss thoughts...etc.  It's not hard, but I think that they are intolerant of difference.\n\nOn top of that, I feel that they fear challenges.  They may not be secure enough in their faith to understand others, as well as defend theirs when the going gets tough.  Again, this is not all Christians, just the ones who feel we are attacking them by our very existance.\n\nI think it will be a cold day in their hell before they ALL respect us COMPLETELY.  All we can do is continue smiling and be the better person.  We are strong enough in our non-beliefs to continue on with our lives without hating people for their choices.  They are the ones that, according to them, have to live with their choices in the "afterlife".
303228
Becuse poeple are closed minded and don't accept other people's opinion. They belive that their way is the only way and tha is the end of the story.
508100
Well I think they are so blind - cited with their own righteousness and holier than thou Bull that they forget the true meaning of their religion. The problem is ignorance breads ignorance, and for the most part they are caught up in the passing down this ignorance.\n\nThey also fear what is different from them. And it makes them feel good to consider themselves messengers of God, when they are really just spreading ignorance, closed-mindedness, and fear.