Eric Hoffer, the longshoreman philosopher, wrote a book called “The True Believer.” In it he stated: “the true believer is one, who having lost sight of his goals, redoubles his efforts.”
If a “true believer” stared eye to eye with a “true skeptic” he would be looking in a mirror. They are exactly the same person. Each are, black and white, all or nothing, individuals. The beliefs they hold are true, and all other beliefs are false. No amount of evidence, logic, or persuasion will shake the true believer, or the true skeptic from their stance. Most have long forgotten the circumstances under which they came into their beliefs. The whys, hows, and by whom they were taught what they defend so tenaciously. They only know they are right.
The open-minded individual lives in a world of possibilities. He is willing to listen to diverse opinions and “turn them over” in his mind, testing the reality of what he hears. He may, or may not believe new concepts, but is always respectful of those who speak them. To be open-minded, is to realize all is not known about the world we live in, that new discoveries are inevitable. It is a humble position, one from which learning can take place.
The “true believer” and the “true skeptic” are positions of fear. Fear of letting-go past limitations. Fear of the changing face of new knowledge and events. Open-mindedness is a position of love. A willingness to say yes to new knowledge and events.
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