Being Logical: Are You Open Minded?

For many people today, being open minded is the difference between being stupid and educated. Are you this type of person? I would like to take a moment to test your open-mindedness... if your open.

When you think about judging others, what is acceptable to you? Now, before you pat yourself on the back with the thought that you don't judge others, let me just say that all of us make judgements about people everyday. When we see a murderer on the news we think, "He is bad" or "What he did was bad." We judge between good and bad. Or perhaps when you peer into a communist government that doesn't allow freedom of speech you think, "That's just not right." You make a personal judgement about where that falls on the good/bad scale. We all do it about these kinds of things.

It doesn't stop here though. When it comes to thoughts about someones religion I have several friends that will often say, "It's not for you and me to decide if they are right or wrong, that's their decision." "That's not for you and me to judge." There's a good chance that like my friends, when you read those statements you think, "That's right! We shouldn't judge another person's beliefs!" Here is where your open-mindedness is put to the test... Have you ever realized that these statements are actually judging statements? They make a claim about what is or is not right to do.

So what's the point? Why is it important to check yourself and understand that you too make judgements about people? The main reason it's important is because if you can't think logically, you won't be able

to recognize what things are true. This could be very dangerous and you could start to believe some totally ridiculous ideas, without even knowing it. Maybe you are already there. Below the next few statements there are some questions I have for you.

I am a Christian and believe that the only way to find true life, and to know God personally is through Jesus Christ. Therefore there is no other way to God. I believe then that if somebody doesn't know the true God, they won't be forgiven of their mistakes here on earth and will be punished for all of eternity in Hell. Also, I think that it is a good idea to tell people about why Jesus came so they can make a decision about whether or not they think they can trust him.

When I say these statements, what are your thoughts towards me? Are you angry at me? Are you calling me closed-minded? Are you judging me? Are you being open-minded about my beliefs? Or is this one of the times that it's OK for you to judge because you think I've just stepped too far over the line???

I ask you to look into this because it's important to be genuine. If you can realize that you too are daily making evaluations about what is right and wrong you will start to be able to understand what your personal beliefs are. Then, you can evaluate your beliefs on whether or not they are right.

The dangerous flip side:

If you believe still that all judging is wrong you have stepped into the non-thinking zone. This is dangerous. Not thinking, is dangerous. You are not living in reality and must believe that it is alright to do anything. Murdering, raping, and stealing are just a few things that would be acceptable to you because you would be forced to look at somebody that has done this and say to them, "I don't judge what you do." Spare yourself an incorrect understanding of semantics and realize that what you just said would mean that you did not affirm that what they did was wrong, affirming that it was acceptable. Or maybe you just think you need more time to think about it? What's to stop you from killing a few people until you decide?

Obviously this is the extreme side, but I hope you catch my drift. If this is the extreme side there are many many different ways that this can play out. The initial method is you believing something that is not true. It's time to check yourself to figure out what you think is right and wrong.

Here is a little quiz to help you on your way:

1) Is murder good or bad?

2) Is rape good or bad?

3) Is slavery good or bad?

4) Is it good or bad to commit suicide?

5) Is it good or bad to educate yourself?

6) Is it good or bad, right or wrong, to punish crime?

7) Is it good or bad to smoke marijuana?

(remember, this is to help YOU figure out your thoughts)

8) Is it good or bad to speak up and act about about wrong in the world?

9) Is it good or bad to believe in God?

10) Are people generally good or bad?

11) Are you good or bad?

Now, there are reasons why you chose each of your answers. What are those reasons? Go back through and figure out what those reasons are. This step is the most important because it will allow you to logically think about why you have decided to think a certain way. Then you can start to challenge your beliefs and question where you received your information from.

I really hope this helps you move forward in thinking logically about what is true and what is not.

Jesus said that he is the way, the truth, and the life. He said No one comes to the father except through him. Why do you think I believe this is true?