How often do you change your mind on strongly held beliefs?

Question

I know for me it only happens when open myself to building relationships with real people, and they usually must be people I admire, or seek to emulate.

Rarely do I ever read a compelling piece of text and think, "wow, I've been wrong all my life!" or, "I really need to change how I've been living."

It's amazing how many people think a well written post, or a link to a pithy video, or pages of scripture, or an article from a science journal is going to somehow convince people to suddenly give up belief systems they've held for years, or embrace ones they've never had.

The only thing Y!A has proven (to me) is just how poor the average persons grammar and spelling is, how close-minded people are to any ideas or beliefs that don't coincide with their own, and how uninformed and ignorant the public is.

Of course, I believed most of those things before coming to Y!A.

BTW - I'm not saying I don't fall into the above descriptions :-)

Answer 1

I will hold my beliefs until the day I die. I totally agree with you.

Answer 2

Hi there! I agree that it takes more than one video, commentary or other act to get anyone to change their mind about a strongly held belief. But I think that ultimately hearing the same messages over time in bits and pieces from lots of people could have that effect. This how major movements begin, through the collective action of many individuals. I don't think anyone was convinced that smoking or drinking during pregnancy could be dangerous when they first started hearing about research into both those behaviors, but a lifetime of hearing those messages have convinced many to give up both habits. I think you are right when it comes to things like faith, however. Faith by its very definition is difficult to shake once believed, and I think people are less likely to be open minded to differences of opinion because of it. Anyhow, I'm glad you wrote your question. It's nice to see some honest philosophy on Y/A rather than just people spouting off on other groups for the hell of it. Have a great day!

Answer 3

First, It is not a requirement to change your views, or even to have them remain the same, your heart(for want of a better word) and what you truly love or endeavor is what it is for and about... and not even that is imposed. It is your choice for all and each thing, to the very end this seems to be so.
I once heard of honour and so forth and so forth and truly it is good and beautifull.. beyond beauty.. it would seem., atleast.. i have found it to be so. but nothing is certain or imposed... it would seem.

being wise or foolish, it would seem, is irrelevant, also for anything else you could use to describe people..(or anything)..

Only that honour ect is what holds you and is true and pure.
if you understand you do, if not, then ofcourse it is so..
we have a life to consider these things,and much more and many other things of all the mysteries... and to the point that we see that they are irrelevat and intangible, and also vulgar and concrete at the same time.. just as these words.. useless and without meaning yet not.. at the same time.

so in essence, there is no measure of should or should not, the question is what does your 'honour' require? (or demand!), yet even this is not imposed, as said.

look fo r beauty and truth, and endeavor strenght. and you will come to know grace (ect).

this is my opinion and quite personal. it may be as insignificant as the crest of a wave in the great oceans.

Answer 4

Not very often. I may soften on some aspects of my beliefs, but I don't change my mind on why I believe it. I try to have an open mind and accept the fact that we all believe different things. And yes, people should learn how to use spell check before posting a question or answer.

Answer 5

I often change my mind about things I believed. That is necessary to grow.

btw I can type and I still make mistakes when i am in a hurry. some people can't type well, has nothing to do with spelling and even if, that's not a sign of ignorance.

Answer 6

Thats a good question, but I don't change my mind on my convictions. I don't care who I am talking to or what Internet site I'm on, I stand firm in my convictions. A conviction is something you'd die for; while a preference is something you can change your mind on, like do you like men with blonde or brown hair, dark or milk chocolate. I'm not asking anyone to give up their beliefs, but I don't like the disregard for my beliefs, esp when someone will pick your answer as the best to try and 'humiliate' you on line. Not gonna happen to this Baptist.

Answer 7

ideas are all changeable if the right circumstances comes along, like someone holding a gun to your head or falling in love is also another ways to become gooey ga-ga . anyone who thinks that they are stuck with their beliefs hasn't lived much or hasn't lived very long. Try going outside the box and travel to countries less fortunate than ours & you will start changing your mind about everything. Your suppose to change and not stay stuck like dogs

Answer 8

I tend to agree with you. I normally keep my beliefs to myself unless actually asked of them. I try to keep an open mind and respect other peoples opinions and beliefs, I just wish more people would do the same.
It's a darn good thing I wasn't alive during the Witch Hunts; it would have made for a nasty end. lol

Answer 9

That question is very interesting, but you would be surprised how easy it is to convince people to believe a certain way or to change their opinions.
People actually like to be told what to do, and as long as the statement makes some sense to them then they will agree with it.
That is where advertising and persuasion techniques come in.
They make the people think that they are actually their ideas, hence, they agree with it and follow along.

Answer 10

However strong a belief may be it can wither away if we dare to inquire if what we believe is really true, and if we could really KNOW that.
And Yes I have changed my mind about people and things of which I used to be so terribly sure.

Answer 11

I used to think that I knew some things but as I got older I realized that I was just being closed minded.

So I tried to open my self up to new Ideas and realized that nothing that I knew was really worth hanging on to.

It is very liberating.

Love and blessings Don