Have you ever modified your opinions / beliefs on a provocative, hotly debated subject after reading answers?

Question

For example:

1. Changed your religion

2. Changed your mind regarding how man came to exist

3. Changed your opinion on school vouchers

4. Changed who you were going to vote for

5. Bought a domestic vehicle instead of a foreign made

Have you ever decided to do more independent research on a provocative subject after having read answers?

Thanks.

Answer 1

If a more valid point is made, how can I not change? I like to make the best decision, not the stubborn decision. This is always done by gathering the facts and evaluating everything in relation to everything else. I know that I don't know everything, and could always take other views into consideration. That doesn't mean that I sway easily, it means that I make informed decisions and am willing to admit when I'm wrong and correct it.

Answer 2

I've done more research in response to a question / answer.

Wholesale change in belief generally doesn't happen instantly as a result of a single answer. I changed from Christian to atheist over 20 years ago, but it took years to get past the superstition. I actually had to study and learn about religion, more than the average person, in order to have enough information to break away from it.

Answer 3

No, I don't think R&S participation has changed any of my core values, largely because I'm still waiting for a rational proof of God's literal existence.

On the other hand, there is no doubt that my anger at all things religious has diminished and I've become more broad-minded. I've learned that I have no personal issues with Buddhists, Taoists, Wiccans, and Pagans. I used to hate, literally hate, ALL Christians and Muslims because of the historical record of countless hideous abuses perpetrated by organized religion. (...and because I've been beaten by vigilante gangs of young Christian men.) I thought being a Christian was the moral equivalent of being a Nazi. Now, I find that many Christians and Muslims are basically perfectly sensible people who are capable of both reason and compassion. Participation in R&S has helped me understand that my anger and hatred should properly be directed at Fundamentalist extremeism. Those people are my legitimate enemies and deserve my scorn. Only Fundamentalists engage in acts of violence in support of their perverted faith. Only Fundamentalists seek to undermine human civilization in the name of their hateful deity.

Answer 4

not really, I would change my views on things like bananas aren't so bad after all. Or my opinions only if the argument is sound and has some basis. I would probably have a more open view on it not really change. Maybe I would understand the other person's views now if I knew whay they picked that. All views and opinions are fine as long as they have reason to back it up.

Answer 5

Well,not any on your list,and not so much because the answers,but because I had to really think out my position,but I have changed my position on homosexuality. At first,I was very anti-gay. I found the idea to be repulsive,honestly,I still do. I thought about it through and through,and I realized I have absolutely no choice that my sexual orientation is straight, I could no more "choose" to be attracted to a man than I could "choose" my height. I'm just that way,so I came to the changed opinion that gays do not "choose" their orientation either

Answer 6

1 and 2. most of the religious people are dumb idiots , and they think god made man like potato chips.
3 and 4. Who ever I vote will end up showing his monkey relationship. Like in a monkey heard- the head monkey f**k all the females.
5. What ever I purchase 75% of that money is eaten by sharks. That's why there is a big gap between rich and poor.

Answer 7

We should always test to see that whatever the answer is,goes with Biblical teachings.It doesnt matter who declares it.Preachers are human too.If I feel that something doesnt sound right,I always see what Gods word says.This same principle should apply in daily life.If someone gossips about a person,I dont draw conclusions without hearing the persons side of the story.

Answer 8

No. Maybe if people were nicer instead of doing all they can to fight about it, then a more peaceful place to share ideas could be obtained. However, most people do not do this, so right now it is just a place to vent and lash out.

Answer 9

Yeah, I decided that abortion was bad. But the women I was arguing with seemed angry that I was still prochoice anyway. She didn't understand the fact that she may have changed my opinion, but that didn't mean that I felt the need to force that opinion on everyone else...

Answer 10

No to 1-5.

I have caught up on a lot of evolution outside my own field in order to dispel the flagrant lies of Creationists.