CLOSED MINDS

In our day of political correctness, when a person is said to have a "closed-mind," that person is being accused of being "rigid, obstinate, averse to the consideration of new ideas or other people's arguments."  Some of the synonyms for "closed-minded" are "narrow-minded, intolerant, prejudiced, or bigoted," and their use is most often guided by the context or subject matter.  In other words, when all else fails in trying to change a person's mind, in frustration, the one debating uses an Argumentum ad hominem (attacks the character or motives of one's opponent).  In one sense, the opponent is "raising a white flag," and admitting defeat.  In another, it indicates that there is now "bad blood" between the two.

The two subjects most often associated with people using an Argumentum ad hominem, are Religion and Politics.  In fact, I cannot recall the number of times I have heard someone say, "I am willing to discuss most anything except Politics or Religion!"  Why?  Because he has already come to a conclusion with which he is comfortable, or he knows that the issues cannot be resolved.  I would describe him as wise, to some extent, because he knows greater minds than his have debated the issues for years, decades, and even some have been unresolved for millennia.

So....Let me give my opinion on Politics:  All men are sinners (Romans 3:23), and as such, they cannot be trusted!  Whether they are Republicans, Democrats, or Independents, because they have "locked themselves into an ideology, they are at the least, biased, or God forbid, they have declared "political jihad!"  The latter can be clearly seen in the behavior of demonstrators picketing Trump's events.  When all else fails, they use threats and violence to discourage people from supporting him.  So, I recommend we choose to support the person whose closest to what we believe is best for our nation.

As for Religion, I do not recommend "picking" the Religion which "feels right," or the one your parents followed, or one that is followed by the majority of people you know; using those criteria will most certainly lead you astray!  Remember, it was the majority that shouted, "Crucify Him!"  I admit that I am 100% biased in believing in the Jesus of the Bible.  He not only taught that faith in Him was necessary for salvation (John 3:14-18), He proved Himself to be Israel's Messiah by signs and miracles (Acts 2:22), and by His Resurrection (Acts 2:32)! 

Yes, I have a closed mind!  Jesus is the only way to heaven (John 14:6)!  He described Himself as "the narrow way" (Matthew 7:13-14), indicating that the vast majority of men will try to reach heaven by the works of some man-made religion, or not try at all.  Salvation is by faith in Christ, and not of religious works (Ephesians 2:8-9); those who place their faith in Him as Lord, out of gratitude, for His dying to cleanse us from sin, will do His will (Ephesians 2:10)!  And those who disagree need to recognize that they have been blinded by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:3-4), God having turned them over to a reprobate mind (Romans 1:28)!

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;

that ye may know that ye have eternal life...." (1 John 5:13)  JESUS IS LORD!