Read Time: Approx. 2 min.
There are often several reasons why people can be narrow-minded:
1. Time - - It takes time to thoughtfully consider and compare different belief systems and religions to analyze their sources and credibility. Because so many people are so busy, it’s often easier to simply go with the flow of those around them or to agree with that which is “politically correct.”
2. Fear - - All too often, there can be serious consequences for daring to believe that which is contrary to those in our circle of influence. Many people have faced rejection, persecution and even death because they made life choices fueled by beliefs that were contrary to their family, friends or society. Fear of experiencing severe pain and loss causes many to either agree with or yield to the beliefs of others.
3. Not thinking - - While easy, it’s never a good idea to let other people do our thinking for us. It’s also easy to learn information without having to do much thinking. Take for example those who get straight A’s but lack common sense. One of the greatest needs in both society and the church is to teach and encourage people to think for themselves!
4. Convenience - - It is easy to be attracted to a belief that makes living life on our terms OK. While most anyone can find or come up with a religion or belief system to cater to their wants (or lack thereof), that doesn’t make what they believe true. Generally speaking we find that the older we get, the more we discover that what was convenient yesterday has a way of turning out to be inconvenient and often costly later on.
5. Insecurity - - People’s insecurities often cripple their ability to allow others to question or challenge their beliefs or customs.
While there are most likely other reasons for being narrow minded, it is not narrow-minded for someone who spends 30 years studying all sides of an issue to hold to a position on that issue…even when the position they are holding to is also held by those who are indeed narrow-minded. So the fact that someone holds strongly to a particular belief does not necessarily mean that they are narrow-minded.
Altough it is impossible to agree with everyone on everything, we can all avoid being narrow minded by making time to think and finding the courage to face our fears, insecurities and the possibility that our beliefs, while convenient, may be wrong and possibly hurtful to ourselves and others.
If there is a God and if he is the God of the Bible who has broken into history through his Son Jesus, then it is not narrow-minded to believe that what he says is true because he himself is the Truth and as such is a credible and reliable source of information.
