Open-minded

I recently (ok, today) reached my limit with the term "open-minded" probably because it was coming from someone who I feel is decidedly NOT. I know some people I dearly love will get nervous to hear me railing on this term, so let me be clear on my beef with the whole issue. I believe open-minded is an ambiguous term that is more often than not used by people because they believe it gives the impression they are tolerant. And, of course, what could be more important than being tolerant of one and all in this day and age of "anything goes" and "whatever works for you"? What I really think this term indicates is that these same people feel safe saying whatever the heck they want about anyone they want without regard for consequences. Consequences of offending or hurting anyone and their particular beliefs because, gee whiz, if I'M offending YOU then clearly you are not open-minded! You want to disagree with me? Fine. I have no problem with that. But do not consistently belittle, demean, and otherwise insult me and my beliefs. And also I think these people feel free of accountability. They don't need to be nailed down to any one belief in particular because they're open to everything. That way there are no consequences, really, to their words and actions because they're open-minded and that should mean anything goes. What does open indicate? Openness. Ok. Like....a door in my house? Am I just going to leave my front door wide open because I want to be accepting of everyone? Sure, burglar, come on in. I don't discriminate. Welcome, pedophile, mi casa es su casa. Puh-lease. In the same way, I don't open my mind to absolutely all things that come across the cerebral cortex. I will say with no apologies that I don't have a very open mind to drugs. Sorry, I'm a bit too attached to my body and my brain and their proper functioning. I would also admit to not being open to prostitution as a means of making ends meet. Guess that would make me intolerant. I'm exaggerating the point, I realize, but do you catch my drift at all? It's absurd to claim to be open-minded to all things because even if you feel you are open-minded, chances are you are so critical of people who are not that you tend to be close-minded to them and their points of view. Now, should we be open to accepting PEOPLE regardless of their status, station, choices, or beliefs in life? Absolutely. Do I drop the ball on doing that every single day of my life? Unfortunately, absolutely. While I am asking God for the humility that I so lack, I seem to keep screwing that up. Anyway...what I would submit to you is that, rather than being so proud of being open-minded, could we try just administering a little respect? Respectfully disagreeing, even? Acknowledging that there are some absolute truths in the world and anything shouldn't just "go"? While I realize that there are some out there who would just label me an intolerant, hypocritical, Jesus-freak, I'm going to lay it out here anyway....Jesus IS my absolute truth. His example, His heavenly Father, His words - I will be intolerant, I'm afraid, of any other way that the world tells me to go. Am I intolerant of you, as a person? I really don't think so. Am I often intolerant of your beliefs (or attack on MY beliefs) that rub me the wrong way? Probably. And that I do need to work on. I am reminded of this, and go forward in my life praying to make it more true than what it has been up to this point: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18.