[valley]

I once posted an earlier version of this article in 2003 (just came across it while cleaning out my subscription folder) but at the time, did not have a name or a link to its author so I have googled the title and found a fresher version to repost.

Its still just as relevant as ever!

From HERE

Open Minded...or Mindless?

by Dennis Gaskill

Open-mindedness must be tempered with judgment, discretion, reason, and a willingness to take positions. The PC movement has convoluted the term 'open-minded' to mean non-judgmental, just as they have prostituted the definition of many words in an attempt to shame people into adopting their political agenda, or at least keeping their mouth shut and staying out of the way. Being open-minded, to them, means you must agree with them. Any movement that doesn't allow for individual thought and dissenting opinion is cultism!

Open-mindedness should mean you have the ability and are willing to examine ideas and issues without prejudice in order to form an opinion, or to re-examine your opinion in light of new evidence. It is the doorway that enables us to entertain ideas to form an *enlightened* opinion that we *can* stand up for.

[Stoner]

From the link:

Open-mindedness should mean the ability to examine ideas and issues without prejudice

That's what it means to me.

Any movement that doesn't allow for individual thought and dissenting opinion is cultism!

Agreed.

[TooBad]

Good article, Valley. It is typical of the PC crowd to redefine words so that they can then use them to redefine values and attitudes to "prove" their point. Some are good-hearted people that have been snookered by the snake-oil salesmen with glib, nice-sounding platitudes that make you feel as if you are more compassionate if you agree with them. Usually, nothing could be further from the truth.

[valley]

Originally Posted by Stoner

Agreed.

As an example...would you agree that strict adherence to the evolution theory without ever questioning it is cult-like thinking?

Not that I would accuse you of that but I think its the case for some people.

I better amend this....I also believe the same is true for those who adhere to creationism without ever questioning it.

[valley]

Originally Posted by TooBad

It is typical of the PC crowd to redefine words so that they can then use them to redefine values and attitudes to "prove" their point.

Bingo!

[iltos]

good thread valley....
you thinking of becoming a self help expert, too?

[Stoner]

Originally Posted by valley

As an example...would you agree that strict adherence to the evolution theory without ever questioning it is cult-like thinking?

Not that I would accuse you of that but I think its the case for some people.

As the Theory of Evolution is not a physical law and is open to constant discussion and challenge, it would not be considered a 'cult' following as you imagine it as ....soon as an unknown or varying factor becomes known, the theory is abridged to accommodate that correction. So, it's a very open process even if you don't agree with it's premise. If the premise becomes a known fallacy.....that's the end of it's legitimacy.

Very unlike the creationist movement that ignores and distorts known facts of the issue, for the purpose of maintaining it's dogmatic presentations. Varying thought outside the goal of verifying it's legitimacy is disallowed within it's ranks. One might consider it 'mindless' as it defies known logic and known facts.


However, I have researched that there is a very small element that does worship science as a religion.......very few. You may remember the many screen names of Herge and Rampage.
Not open minded to anything ( well...not much )


edit: just saw your addition:

I better amend this....I also believe the same is true for those who adhere to creationism without ever questioning it.

As with Ray's self help concepts.....( )......honest evaluation always becomes an issue whether it's the science of evolution or creation science.

[Ciberblade]

Valley is back...yeah!

Yes...honest evaluation makes all the difference! With emphasis on honest

[Guyzer]

Originally Posted by iltos

you thinking of becoming a self help expert, too?

Click................. Bang!

[valley]

Originally Posted by Stoner

As the Theory of Evolution is not a physical law and is open to constant discussion and challenge, it would not be considered a 'cult' following as you imagine it as ....soon as an unknown or varying factor becomes known, the theory is abridged to accommodate that correction. So, it's a very open process even if you don't agree with it's premise. If the premise becomes a known fallacy.....that's the end of it's legitimacy.

Very unlike the creationist movement that ignores and distorts known facts of the issue, for the purpose of maintaining it's dogmatic presentations. Varying thought outside the goal of verifying it's legitimacy is disallowed within it's ranks. One might consider it 'mindless' as it defies known logic and known facts.

LOL...I knew you'd jump to defend your beliefs, which is why I amended my post. I accept that creationism might appear to be a mindless belief to those who fully accept the theory of evolution as well as the secular reasons given for the origins of life. But there are people of faith who have spent the time investigating it and have come to a different conclusion than you. One might consider those people mindless but that doesnt automatically make them so, not if they have made an honest attempt to understand the information and then from there, decide to take an alternate stand than is not considered the norm.

I'm not here to debate evolution. I am pointing out that blind allegience to an issue, without ever trying to reach your own conclusions, is a type of mindlessness. Would you agree with that or no?

[valley]

Originally Posted by iltos

good thread valley....

Thank you.

you thinking of becoming a self help expert, too?

I dont believe in self-help.

[valley]

Originally Posted by Ciberblade

Valley is back...yeah!

Thank God for you Ciber. Here I was thinking no one wubbed me anymore. *inserts a healthy dose of self-pity*

Yes...honest evaluation makes all the difference! With emphasis on honest

Absolutely.

Now watch as the word "honest" gets redefined.

[Stoner]

But there are people of faith who have spent the time investigating it and have come to a different conclusion than you.

They have closed minds _

I am pointing out that blind allegience to an issue, without ever trying to reach your own conclusions, is a type of mindlessness. Would you agree with that or no?

As stated, I would think so
One has to be honest with themselves in reaching those conclusions and allowing for a conclusion to be modified if facts of an issue become known to be other than presented.
So..........if the conclusion is rigid without the possibility of reconsideration, it then becomes an issue of a closed mind.

[valley]

Originally Posted by Guyzer

Click................. Bang!

I was going to welcome you to TSG guyzer.....until I clicked on your profile and realized that I know you!!!!

Such a nice macho name now.

[Stoner]

'anchoring'.......