Thank you for your good question. According to Webster’s dictionary, humanism is “a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual’s dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason.” Webster’s dictionary defines religion as “the service and worship of God or the supernatural.” These definitions describe how a person with religious beliefs believes in supernatural beings but someone who embraces humanism usually does not believe in supernatural beings. With humanism, humans are the most important part of the universe and control their own destiny. With Christianity, Christ is the center of the universe and deserves our complete devotion and worship.

Let us now consider some Scriptures related to your question. What does the Bible say to Christians about being open minded? We read in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” How do we know what is good? We read in Hebrews 6:5 about the “good word of God.” In contrast, we read in Romans 3:10-12, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

Therefore, we should compare things that we hear or read to God’s word, the Bible. We have seen that the Word of God is good, but is it true? We read in James 1:18, “Of his own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” Can we be sure that God’s Word is true? We read in Titus 1:2, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” Since God cannot lie, we have a reliable source to compare to other points of view.

If someone approaches a Christian with a viewpoint, then the Christian should respectfully listen to that viewpoint and compare that viewpoint to the principles of God’s Word. However, it is not recommended for a Christian to study every point of view. We read in Romans 16:19, “For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” We do not need to be an expert on every point of view. We need to study our Bibles thoroughly. Then when we hear a point of view, we will know if it is true or not.

For example, counterfeit experts do not study every possible type of counterfeit money. Instead, they study genuine money and know it very well. If they see a counterfeit bill, then they immediately know that it is not authentic.

Does the person asking the question think that Christians should be more open minded and listen to points of view other than biblical points of view? I have a question for you. Is your goal in life to be as open minded as possible or to learn the truth? I would rather know the truth. The Lord Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” He also said in John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Would you like to be set free from the bondage of sin? Only the truth can do that. We learn the truth from God in His word. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Will you accept God’s free offer of salvation? We read in John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but He that believeth not is condemned already, because He hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Trust Christ today and know the joys of walking with Him every day of your life. He gives peace through trials and the certainty of eternal life in heaven. What a Savior He is!  (484.1)  (DJ)