Openminded Myth

The more I delve into the philosophies and ideals of the world around me, the more I become irritated at the weak thoughts that take root and flourish in people's minds. See, from my position as a devout, conservative Christian, I can see may things others cannot. However, many folks in this enlightened world of ours tend to take my position as "close-minded" because I have settled the questions of many things in my own mind. 

They (and I use the term loosely and towards no individual in particular, just generally) say that open-mindedness is the way to go. That there are so many options and ways of life that need to be considered when choosing how to act and believe in this world. That no one religion or society can have it right. 

This appears to be wisdom, but it's lunacy in its purest form. And here's my problems with this "open-minded" philosophy.

First off, this philosophy poses to be considerate of all types of ways of life, but it is very selective of which parts. Christianity, for example, and the wealth of wisdom and prudence in its traditions and Scripture is hardly taken for any sort of value. Even the teachings of Jesus (which are mainly directed towards God's Kingdom and the Body of Christ; i.e. Christians) are overlooked or disregarded even though so many hold Jesus in high esteem as a "great moral teacher." The fact that even considering Christianity as a viable source for philosophical and moral guidance is off the table for most who claim "open-mindedness" disintegrates the integrity of their position. But there's more...

Second, there is a myth that open-mindedness and considering all sorts of ideals and philosophies enhances one's life, opens options. And the more options, the more enlightened a person can be, and the better off they are. This is a perspective issue. "Open-minded" people seem to think that all these various, competing philosophies are laid out in the giant thought bubble of life. People who just choose one, are at a severe disadvantage because more is better. So why not take a few, be open-minded. Consider all the possibilities. Embrace all the different thoughts and ways of life. Why not?

Because the concept of all ideas being laid out and being able to choose more than one does not allow the reality to be acknowledged. Philosophies are not hinged in space like an intellectual buffet, these ways of life are paths. You know what a path is, right? It's a road that leads somewhere. It takes you places. 

Open-minded people contend that all paths lead to the same place. For the most part, they're right. There are a billion paths that are not mutually exclusive because they all lead to ultimate destruction. There is one path that is mutually exclusive from all the rest (that Jesus one that the open-minded fail to consider) and is the only one that leads anywhere good.

Near as I can figure, that's the main reason why Christianity is attacked by such enlightened, "open-minded" individuals and groups. They can't wrap their mind around a religion that purports to be the ONLY way. 

The fallacy of being open-minded is that eventually you have to walk one path. It really doesn't matter which one you walk, if it's not the True path, then they WILL all lead you to the same place - destruction and death. At least they're right about that. They've just been lied to about the destination.

Open-minded people cannot and will not consider these words at all. They are in love with choices and don't want to deal with the possibility of being wrong. Their comfort is in believing that there is no wrong road. So they rarely every come to a decision about anything. They don't realize that indecision IS a decision (and what's more, it's the wrong one...). 

The myth of open-mindedness is that it offers ultimate freedom. But the reality is that they are shackled by their own ignorance. The more "knowledge" they gain, the more they believe they are enlightened. But the more they are bound by indecision. They lose their identity. They lose the ability to make a moral decision. They lose objectivity. They are bound by emotion and feelings and every thought that comes into their mind. 

I have chosen the path that yields freedom, true freedom. Making a choice is not the same as being closed-minded, it simply means I considered the options and MADE a decision. When you find the right answer, you don't need to go around considering the plethora of wrong ones.