Opus 2025-499: Beware the Open Mind

One of the problems when discussing important issues with people is that we all come to the table with certain biases, preferences, experiences, and preconceived notions.  That’s part of being human.  Take a simple thing such as going to the beach.  I have walked the sands of Cape Cod and I hope never having to do that again.  At least I wouldn’t want to do it in my bare feet.  The sand is very sharp and uncomfortable to walk on.  I was raised going to the beach in California.  For a long time I knew no better.  It was easy to walk on and fun to play with.  And then I went to Hawaii and all bets were off.  If you have been to the beach in Hawaii, you realize how wonderful sand can be and how clean and clear water can be.  It’s a different experience.  Someone who talks about going to the beach in Cape Cod would have no idea what it’s like on Maui.

If we take the economy, we run into the same problems.

I have experienced most in areas of theology.  When you take a verse and you try to understand what it means, you come with a lot of baggage.  Most of the time we’re not willing to leave anything behind and we expect everyone else to adjust to our standard.  It doesn’t matter if our standard is wrong.  It is our standard.  You must change.  What we believe today is based on what we have experienced and accepted in the past.

If you were a Catholic your whole view of the spiritual world works is based upon the infallibility of the pope.  If you are a Calvinist, everything comes down to an uncompromising view of the sovereignty of God.  If you are an Armenian, it all comes down to God giving us free will and free agency.  If you are from a holiness denomination, it comes down to the filling of the Holy Spirit.  Those are the spots you start and everything else is understood in light of that.  It’s no wonder that we can’t agree.

The place to start is with the foundation.  In theology that should be the Bible not the comments in your study Bible.  In science it should be with the known laws of science and a genuine scientific method.  In philosophy it should begin with an understanding of what the word means.

Got issues?  Start at the beginning and be an honest broker.  Examine your own opinions with a fine tooth comb and give others some slack.  It is amazing how just having a good attitude can enhance communication.

homo unius libri