Evolution–thought it lead to racism, fascism, was the bulwark of atheism and eugenics, and anti-free will (notwhithstanding the so-called free-thinkers).
Now, it just rationalizes that we have no free-will.
Used to be pro capital punishment, now strongly oppose. Didn’t count, but that seems like the most common answer so far.
Used to be somewhat anti-gay. Now am not.
Only other “controversial issue” I can think of is I probably would have previously been more of an advocate of womens’ workplace rights. I am currently no longer so sure.
Most other changes are more in the area of tastes/interests. Heck, I majored and mastered in Pol Sci, now I don’t even read articles about government in the paper.
I used to hate veggies as a kid - now I can’t get enough of them.
I used to love watching sports on TV. Now, won’t turn on the tube or will watch something else, don’t have a favorite team, etc.
Religion: Went from Christian (as a child) to atheism (as a teenager). Found spirituality as an adult, and, after dabbling in Asatru, became Wiccan.
Soul: I used to be a strict materialist. Now I feel there’s another dimension.
Politics: From Anarcho-Marxism to Social Democracy.
Homosexuality: Didn’t really know what it was, but every one else seemed to be against it, so I decided it was a bad thing. Then I found out they were talking about me…
Technology: Used to be a techno-utopian. Now I see technology individually – some of it really good, some of it not worth the dangers.
Worldview: From cynical rationalism and determinism (societal and/or genetic, depending on the period) to humanistic with a very strong belief in free will.
Quebec: I used to think that if they wanted to leave, they should go. Five years of living in Quebec has made me understand the reasons for the deep resentment here, and made me fall in love with the idea of “a nation of many nations.” I no longer have a problem with a “distinct society” clause.
Death Penalty: I don’t know if this counts, but I used to be against the Death Penalty because it was a left-wing thing to be against the death penalty. Now I’ve developed I deep respect for human life, so my politics haven’t changed, but my reason has.
<aside>
I’ve noticed that most of the lists of changes as a whole seem to be in certain directions – left to right, right to left, moderation to extreme or vice-versa
</aside>
I now favor the death penalty.
Death Penalty: I went from being a staunch supporter to being mildly against it. I don’t have a problem with the concept of executing people. What i have a problem with is the possibility of executing someone who is innocent. So if life in prison meant life in prison I could get along without the death penalty.
Homosexuality: I used to think it was wrong and that homosexuals shouldn’t be free to marry. Now I realize there’s nothing wrong with it and homosexuals deserve the same rights as everyone else.
Drug War: I used to think the war on drugs was a good thing. Now I realize that the war on drugs is doing more harm then the drugs themselves.
Marc