This is an interesting thread. I hope it gets some responses because I am curious myself. This is just my opinion, but it seems everyone is about equally close minded when it comes to categorizing it into "Eastern & Western" demographics. Very rarely do I ever find anyone that is open to believe something that opposes or conflicts with what the man behind the pulpit has already brainwashed them into believing. I enjoy learning about world religions, about their history and about their principles. I enjoy the fact that I can learn about things that other people believe and do it without arguing with them or telling them they are wrong. I believe in the Bahai Faith more than any other religion, but what I love about it is that they believe that Zoroaster, Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Mohammed, Christ and a few others were prophets sent to earth (at different times in different regions because there was no such thing as telephones, tv or internet to get it to the whole world) to spread God's word. They do believe Christ was God's only begotten son. They validate every one of the world's major religions. They basically say that every major world religion is God's work but has gotten tainted through time, by misunderstanding the works of the prophets. It's kind of like the whisper game where you say something to the person next to you and they pass it down the line. By the time it gets back to you it is a completely different message. The 1st principle in the Bahai Faith is "Independent Investigation of the Truth". This simply states, instead of only believing what the close minded "I only believe this way and so should you" preacher is teaching you, open your mind up and investigate for yourself what the truth really is. The reason people don't do this is because they are content in knowing what they think they know. People don't like to be wrong. That's why they will argue their point to their death. It's pride, and it's wrong. I hope this sparks some discussion.
Today, I believe that western belief pays more lip-service to religious open-mindedness than the eastern. The western culture prides itself in being free and open. However, in practice, much of this open-mindedness simply doesn't exist, when you see how easily we continue to hold stereotypical views of the members of various religions. I don't know that eastern thought is more open-minded, but they are certainly more forthright in their opinions.
(In my opinion. )
It is naturally Human to be stubborn, and when it comes to one's religion people are just naturally stubborn.
I believe that for the majority, what our parents taught us at a very young age about religion, is what is deeply embeded in our beings.
East or West human is human.
Name: Devin
Comments: I wonder what Eric Hoffer would offer here....
Source 1: The True Believer by Eric Hoffer