The Tricky Relationship Between Open-Mindedness, Critical Thinking and Indoctrination

In this post I want to address what I see as the tension for people of faith between three well known concepts, 'Open-mindedness', 'Critical thinking' and 'Indoctrination'. My specific focus will be on how Christian schools deal with them. For some of my readers who identify with other faiths, what I have to say has equal relevance to you too. Educating the whole child, involves many things, but the role of faith in their (and our) lives must be central and obvious.

Etienne Wenger in his book "Communities of Practice" suggests that living in the world is a process of "negotiated meaning". In saying this he isn't saying there is no such thing as "truth", but his comment is still a bit confusing. I also find his use of the term "negotiated meaning" as quite dangerous. 

A "truth" IS something that is known to be true. We can of course argue about such things with others, but in reading a book like the Bible, which seeks to shape the lives and beliefs of Christians, we need always to be seeking the truth. But what is a 'truth'?

An application of this relationship between truth & life

The implications of the above for Christian life are significant. I DO believe in "truths" and clearly this is what the Bible teaches. But ensuring that we understand how we live by faith and seek the truth as believers, requires attention to the Word of God and the mutual support of others. 

I want to illustrate this by looking at the relationship between the three key words in my title, the difference between "open-mindedness", "Critical Thinking" and "Indoctrination".

What Wenger DOES NOT mean in his statement is that we can arrive and believe in a specific truth by negotiation (and perhaps convenience). As Christians we have little trouble answering the question "is Jesus the Son of God"? But what about "does being a Christian require us to meet together as believers"? And, "is the Bible really truth or can we leave out the bits we don't like"? I recall a teenager in a young adult group I led once, who tore Romans from her Bible because she didn't like its teachings on Homosexuality.

As we unpack these questions about truth, indoctrination and so on, we might also keep in mind some of the practical matters we deal with constantly as parents, and also as parishioners. For example, at a time when we are still emerging from three years of the COVID pandemic, we might ask is watching my church services online every Sunday okay? My answer is no if members are healthy and can get to church. 

Above: Image of the COVID-19 image

But why? Because the Bible teaches us that while we should worship and pray privately (Matthew 6:6) it's also clear that we should not give up meeting together to worship and pray (Heb 10:25). Involvement in our Christian community is important and an imperative. Technology enabled us to 'meet' as churches during the global COVID 19 pandemic, but now it is much less of a threat, we need to meet together as much as possible. As Hebrews 10:25 reminds us, we should NOT

 "... give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Surely this isn't essential for salvation? Of course it isn't, but we need to meet with one another. But is it essential for salvation? No! And yet in the Catholic Church the attendance at Sunday Mass is seen as an imperative. But why? One frequently used justification for it is, that it's our obligation to meet to pray, listen to the message from the priest, and go to communion to keep in a 'state of grace'. The last bit of this Catholic view is what is most problematic. Christians are commended and encouraged to gather together. Not simply to take part in the "sacraments" but to learn from God's word, grow in faith and serve one another as we learn, worship our God and rejoice. Devotion to attending Church and taking part in Mass does NOT save anyone. Only faith in our God and the only true access to forgiveness and salvation, Jesus!

Above: St Mary's Cathedral Sydney

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

So what about the "Tricky relationship between these three things..."?

My post is meant to be a cautionary word to Christians and in fact all people of faith with belief in God. 

a) Open-mindedness

The dictionary meaning of "Open-mindedness" is not the acceptance of anyone's views about God and salvation. Rather it is "the willingness to search actively for evidence against one's favoured beliefs, plans, or goals, and to weigh such evidence fairly when it is available". It has nothing to do with being humbly accepting everyone's views of the world and their views on what faith in God looks like.  

b) Critical thinking

Again the Oxford Dictionary meaning is "the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement". This has nothing to do with accepting the beliefs of others and allowing this to reshape your own view of God and our obligations before him. No, we must examine the Bible and read it to seek the truth for ourselves.

c) Indoctrination

Finally, what is the meaning of "indoctrination"? This might surprise you. "The process of teaching a person to accept a set of beliefs uncritically".

Summing up and a few warnings

So, what implications do the above have to those of us who support religious schools of any type. 

First, as teachers in all religious schools, our task is NOT to indoctrinate. Rather, as Christians it is to present our beliefs as they are reflected in the Bible, and challenge our students to consider these for themselves. And of course, as teachers, we are to live our lives in a manner that is based on our beliefs. Children very quickly see through hypocrisy.

Second, as parents we should not simply send our children to a faith-based school to ensure their salvation, no matter what our faith might be. If we want our children to accept and follow the faith we profess, we must live this life ourselves. Children once again see through hypocrisy. 

Third, we should not simply seek to enforce our beliefs on any child, whether your own or one you teach. Our children must be taught and encouraged to have faith, but ultimately they must accept this for themselves.

Hopefully, our schools as institutions, and their teachers and leadership, demonstrate their faith is genuine in their lives and actions. As well, in all aspects of what the school demonstrates as most important, should offer the most powerful demonstration of the value and truth of the faith they accept.