To be more precise about it, it is neither close nor open-mindedness but wisdom, discernment, and a pure heart that God wants.

It's a huge disservice to classify all minds as either closed or open. I find the best minds are closed by openable windows.

One of the biggest contradictions in self-proclaimed open-mindedness is to say that we're all one but when a true bigot comes around tell him we're all different. It's usually the case that neither side is correct. One might have the right to do something, anything, but sure enough, that doesn't mean it's right and a benefit to other people.

It's not about whether or not someone is a bigot, but whether or not the argument which that someone is arguing is worth being a bigot about.

It does take great maturity to understand that the opinion we are arguing for is merely the hypothesis we favor, necessarily imperfect, probably transitory, which only very limited minds can declare to be a certainty or a truth.

Every time you are convinced of something you close yourself off from any and all other possibilities. You have confined yourself to that box. At least do it with some conscious awareness of what that box is and make sure it's something you want. If that's ok for you and works for you, have at it. But if you find that upon examining things further that it's not what you want: don't be afraid to change your mind! People change their minds all the time, it's a natural part of learning and growth. Don't be hard on yourself. Accept, and go with the flow. Be conscious of the restraints you place on yourself by the things you believe to know.