# Have you changed your mind on anything fundamental? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 13, 2002, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335 "2002-09-13T19:58:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/1 "2002-09-13T19:58:08Z")
There are some issues that just get argued to death. Abortion, gun control, gay rights, etc. Sometime I wonder why we bother debating these things when minds are so set. But some people **do** change their minds. I don’t know if it’s ever because of a message board debate… So, have you changed political parties (not because you thought the party ‘lost touch’ with its constituents, but because you changed your political views)? If so, what caused you to change your views? What about changing your mind on one of the great debates of our time? Personally, I grew up in a very pro-choice household. My mom volunteered as an escort at Planned Parenthood. In college I even attended several marches for Choice. But I never really listened to the pro-life arguement. I kind of assumed they were wrong without really thinking about their point too closely. Then I took a class in ethics that forced us to really think about logical inconsistencies in several issues. For the first time I contemplated the whole abortion thing a little more objectively. But the real thing that changed my views on abortion was having my own children. Now I’ve done a 180 and I’m pro-life. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/2 "2002-09-13T22:35:54Z")
well, i dunno whether this fits… but… i have ridden bikes for years… “knowing” that body weight shifting is how you turn the bike… followed a debate on the SDMB on counter-steering a bike to turn… it just went against everything i knew… it said “turn bike handle right, to turn bike left” ! i was stunned… and sceptical… but when i tested it on my bike… wo baby did it work! i have used counter steering ever since… so yes, the SDMB has changed a lot of my views, fundamental and otherwise… this was just one of them that came to mind… ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/3 "2002-09-13T23:24:06Z")
Well, thanks to the SDMB, I went from being a Pro-Life, Conservative, Mormon to a Pro-Choice, extremely liberal, atheist. I also changed my mind about homosexuals (went from “love the sinner hate the sin” to “who gives a fuck about who fucks who?”) The only thing I’ve never changed my mind on is the issue of the death penalty. I hate using “always”, but I’m pretty sure I will always be against the death penalty. ---
**Author:** ![mandielise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@mandielise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandielise)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/4 "2002-09-13T23:58:47Z")
I grew up in a moderate Christian home (went to church, but didn’t really think about religion the rest of the week). Then I was “saved” and became a Baptist fundamentalist. I spent years debating: creation not evolution, christianity only, death penalty = good, etc… Now I’ve done a complete 180. I guess you’d call me agnostic, though I hate the word. I DO care, and and KNOW what I believe - I just don’t know where that fits into the scheme of things. I’m still pro-life, and I doubt that’ll change, but I’m definately not Christian in any way, shape, or form. I’m also against the death penalty, and I’m learning the merits of evolution. That was all before I found this board, however. My mind was changed by friends, college, and life-experience. ---
**Author:** ![ForgottenLore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@ForgottenLore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForgottenLore)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2002, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/5 "2002-09-14T03:01:59Z")
Well, it wasn’t a complete 180, but I used to be pretty neutral on the evolution vs. creation issue. I can nail down precisely when I realized that evolution had become my hard-and-fast viewpoint. It was after I read _The Origin of Species._ To this day I firmly believe that no one who has ever actually read Darwin’s book could possibly dismiss evolution lightly. Unfortunately almost no one ever actually reads it. This can be blamed (at least in part) on Darwin’s rather, uh, dry prose style. Don’t dig into it unless you’ve had a good night’s sleep. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2002, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/6 "2002-09-14T06:41:36Z")
Um, my freshman year of college, as a result of having recently read “The Fountainhead”, I signed up for the Young Republicans. I am not proud of this stage in my life. Not that there’s anything wrong with being a Republican per se, but my reasons for doing so were just embarrassing. I used to think that almost all forms of welfare were bad and that people should just be able to pick themselves up by their bootstraps. Now I am a bleeding-heart liberal. I also used to think that breastfeeding in public was gross and should be prohibited. (Also not proud of this one.) And these days… well, there isn’t a shopping mall in the greater Puget Sound area where I haven’t fed young Whatsit Jr. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2002, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/7 "2002-09-14T07:25:57Z")
The Death Penalty. I used to be strongly in favor of it. Through some discussion and debate, I have modified my position. I am still in favor of it in theory (that is, I don’t think there is anything morally wrong with a society choosing to kill a member for the benefit of the society), but I have realized that, as practiced, it is biased and prone to error. My new position is that we should not use capital punishment. ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2002, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/8 "2002-09-14T07:46:59Z")
I grew up listening to my grandfather thunder from the pulpit, and believing I was a Christian until I began to have doubts at high school age. By the time I was 30, after much agonizing and reading I realized that I was not a Christian, and finally, not a believer in the Christian god or any other. I still think of myself as an agnostic or secular humanist (take your pick). Threads in the SDMB have reinforced my agnosticism, as well as my distaste for people who try to tell others what to believe. At 30 I was completely against the death penalty, but changed my mind after seeing so much violent crime in the country and nothing fundamental (as I thought) being done about it. I’m about to be 60, and I still believe that some people deserve to die for their crimes. But I’m beginning to have doubts that the system, in which I had such confidence as a younger man, is capable of sorting out the good from the bad without making too many mistakes or outright rushes to justice. There is no doubt in my mind that individuals like Timothy McVeigh and Ted Bundy deserved to be executed and I am glad that they are dead. But recent DNA proofs that quite a few people were on death row or in prison for life on conviction for rapes or murders they (now proveably) didn’t commit is disturbing, to say the least. The SDMB is, at least in part, responsible for that change of perspective. Debate does have its effect, albeit sometimes slowly. It is never worthless to discuss things, even when we think our opinions are unalterable. Don’t look for me to be too malleable in future debates, though. My head, if penetrable, is just as hard as ever. I can be had, but I’m not easy. * * * Geezer “The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” – Muhammad Ali ---
**Author:** ![alternative\_princess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71e660/32.png) [@alternative\_princess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alternative_princess)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2002, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/9 "2002-09-14T07:47:34Z")
I grew up in a biased, racist, homophobic, pro-capital punishment family environment (a “red neck” household if you will), however was able to see what my parents were (however unintentionally) enforcing onto me as being the “right” way of thinking. Education helped me to break free from their school of thought. I’m not entirely sure if that fits in with this, but it feels good to no longer feel obliged to hate another human being because of their personal preferences. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2002, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/10 "2002-09-14T14:22:59Z")
I haven’t really gone through any extreme changes in viewpoint that I can remember right now, but I watched my SO go from Pagan/agnostic/Wiccan anti-Christian pro-choice, to liturgical-conservative biblically literate Anglican pro-life. It all happened in about a year. And all his reasons for changing were very seriously thought out. ---
**Author:** ![Lodrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@Lodrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lodrain)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2002, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/11 "2002-09-14T15:28:03Z")
I went from Baptist to atheist to agnostic to deist to seriously considering conversion to Hinduism in five years. How 'bout that? ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2002, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/12 "2002-09-14T23:40:59Z")
I change my mind about every two years–at least concerning politics. Consider my voting record: 1990: Clayton Williams ® for Gov. of Texas (lost to Ann Richards). 1992: Andre Marrou (LP) for President (lost to Bill Clinton). 1994: Ann Richards (D) for Governor (lost to George W. Bush). 1996: Bill Clinton (D) for President (I actually picked someone who won.) 1998: George W. Bush ® for Governor (I’m on a roll!) 2000: Ralph Nader (G) for President (although I’m not “Green”) If I’d stayed in Texas, 2002 would be for Tony Sanchez (D) for Governor; I’m still not sure what the heck’s going on in NC. (Texas Republicans will be pleased to know that Sanchez and Ron Kirk will be receiving two fewer votes this year, thanks to my move!) ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/13 "2002-09-15T00:57:30Z")
I went from thinking that all Christians were either liars, hypocrites, or deluded, and were therefore intellectually inferior, to recognizing that some Christians were pretty smart dudes and dude-ettes. I read some of my early stuff and get real embarrased. Oh, well, I know better now. ---
**Author:** ![Costermonger\_means\_barrow\_boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Costermonger\_means\_barrow\_boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Costermonger_means_barrow_boy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/14 "2002-09-15T01:45:07Z")
I became more accepting of religion when my children got older and one took up with a “churchy” boyfriend. It was painful at first but something I just had to accept if I was to trust my daughter’s ability to assess her own friends. So now I cut some slack to people who preach at me, instead of getting indignant. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/15 "2002-09-15T02:10:25Z")
I went from being an outspoken defender of evolution on all levels to disbelieving the truth of microevolution. Mind you, no amount of religious argumentation convinced me to change, but the scientific arguments did. I also went from disbelieving the Bible to believing it. ---
**Author:** ![Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c67d28/32.png) [@Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weird_AL_Einstein)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/16 "2002-09-15T03:05:11Z")
Well, I was raised in a household I would I would describe as “devout Catholic Reagan Democrat”, very conservative on social issues, like abortion, and at least somewhat liberal on economic issues. I picked up my parent’s views when I was young, and have now more or less done a complete 180, plus I am now an agnostic. So I guess two fundamental issues would be abortion and the existence of God. Hey **Xash** : > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by xash \* > **i have ridden bikes for years… “knowing” that body weight shifting is how you turn the bike… followed a debate on the SDMB on counter-steering a bike to turn… it just went against everything i knew… it said “turn bike handle right, to turn bike left” ! i was stunned… and sceptical… but when i tested it on my bike… wo baby did it work! i have used counter steering ever since…** Got a link to that thread? Sounds fascinating… ---
**Author:** ![AndrewL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@AndrewL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndrewL)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/17 "2002-09-15T03:07:48Z")
I used to believe the goverment propaganda on the drug war - All Drugs are Bad, and those who so them or sell them should all go to jail. I believed that drugs such as marijuana and LSD had been made illegal following a rational examination of their health effects. Then I got on the internet, came across the discussion boards over at [cnn.com](http://cnn.com) and learned the real history of the drug war in america. Now I’m pro-legalization. ---
**Author:** ![lynn73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@lynn73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynn73)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/18 "2002-09-15T19:30:26Z")
No, I haven’t changed any of my fundamental beliefs since coming to this board. ---
**Author:** ![kitarak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kitarak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitarak)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/19 "2002-09-15T20:58:26Z")
I used to be a somewhat militant athiest. I didn’t go around forcing my beliefs on others, but I was rather anti religion and believed that my worldview was the only rational one. (The younger me was an obnoxious brat, and I really do need to issue a formal apology to everyone who knew him). I gradually changed my opinion on that to being a non-militant athiest - I’m still right, but you’re all entitled to your opinion. Then I changed to agnostic for a variety of reasons. It may not seem that fundamental a difference, but from my perspective it is. Also, I used to be a strong believer in things being black and white: Regardless as to whether we know it or not there is an absolute Truth which is set in stone. Now I don’t believe in the existence of any absolute truths, and I’m not convinced that anything really ‘exists’ (related to my agnosticism). Similarily to AndrewL, although for different reasons, I’ve changed my opinion on drugs. I used to be very anti-drugs, including alchohol and tobacco. Now I’m fully pro legalisation. I still don’t drink, smoke or do drugs, but I believe in a person’s right to choose for themself. **His4ever** : Actually, that wasn’t the question. The question was if you had ever changed your mind on something fundamental, not if you had done so since coming to this board. It’s an important distinction. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335/20 "2002-09-15T21:42:39Z")
I used to be a nice pro-life, Republican Catholic girl. I’m now a card carrying (NOW) Unitarian Deist Feminist who tends to vote Democrat. The Unitarian part is new since becoming a Doper. The rest came before. The one “big” issue I’ve changed my mind on here is gun control. I’m not a huge fan of guns, but I’m more of a gun moderate now. I decided that if I was going to be pro-choice on pregnancy, I should be pro-choice on guns as well…at least within reason. (Still think concealed carry is a bad idea - but I think abortion on demand in the third trimester is a bad idea too) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-on-anything-fundamental/128335.md?page=2)