open minded

I was having a discussion via someone's facebook post the other day and something came to mind that I fins to be a growing trend in society.  There are a lot of people that claim to be very "open minded" but remain some of the most close minded people I know of.

Here's what I mean:
The discussion started as a talk about Texas' super conservative school boards forcing certain teachings down students' throats, which I'm against, but then turned toward science versus religion in a way.  I'll be the first to admit that science and any argument against it is not my speciality or something I'm all that interested in to be honest.  Yet, I kept find myself going back to this conversation because something stuck out to me in this individual that I see a lot in other areas of life.  Many people claim to have an open minded perspective but are, in fact, closed off from thought outside of what they're comfortable with.

Take politics for example.
(Again, this is not my area of expertise and I often care very little for it other than voting in an informed manner - there is too much drama that me arguing about is not going to change)
Often I see "liberals" talk about how "conservatives" are close minded about minorities, the poor, the environment, and spending.  In reality though, many times these are sweeping generalities and uninformed at that.  I see many "liberals" not open to the idea of more than one solution to problems or ways of learning.  The same could be said about "conservatives" thinking "liberals" are closed off to the ideas of religion and its place in government and schools, when, in reality, there are far more options than they consider or discuss.

At any rate, I feel that we've gotten to a place as society where any idea that isn't yours is shot down immediately as being close minded.  That, in and of itself, is the actual definition of being close minded.  It's really a shame that things are this way in government, public policy, and even within friendships.
We should all strive to have a truly open mind for whatever or whomever comes before us.

A couple things to keep in mind:
I do believe in absolute truth and don't budge on it, as prescribed by Scripture, so don't think I'm some "let's all get along and accept everything and everyone's ideas".  I know some of you have already judged me as such.  Don't do it.  You're being close minded.

Christians: Truth fears no question.  Just because you allow yourself to consider outside possibilities to questions you have or hear does not mean God is scared or changed.  He is truth and He is right.  Fear not.  An open mind is not the Devil's work.  If anything, it is God revealing himself to be what He is.


-peace