Good question. I would say no to the 180ºs’. I have refined my viewpoints on some issues but not a total change. Again good question.
Frequently, of course, I’ve had to modify my position in light of reasonable arguments from the other side. Like others, though, I can’t remember ever doing a complete flip.
Mostly, however, I think there’s an inherent benefit to be had in honest debate. Once you become disenchanted with rhetoric (i.e., once you cease trying to win for the sake of winning), you can’t help but get a better sense of the doubt you must necessarily carry with you. People with misinformed, ill-thought-out opinions don’t realize they’re being boobs – so how would you know when you’re being a boob? Feeling sure of yourself isn’t good enough, because the other guy is sure too.
Once you accept that that you could always be “wrong” without having the slightest idea, all sorts of benefits accrue. Anyone who disagrees is going to have a hell of a time proving me wrong; I’m very sure of this.
Often the most significant changes are both subtle and sublime.
I feel this board is a wonderful place to solidify a position I already have, not so much change it.
I find that some of the subjects have a large diversity of opinion (gay rights, gun control) while others have a large consensus (medical marijuana).
I would like to see more variation of opinions on subjects we all seem to agree on. There must be a large group out there somewhere that believes medical marijuana is a bad idea or else how is the government able to continue it’s absurd position on the subject?
I understand that this board does not represent a true cross section of the public, but the liberal/conservative balance seems to be well divided.
Keep up the good work, we all learn more from a debate then we do from a sermon. (I think)
The GD area, no. But a thread did chase me back to Spanish lessons. My command of the language of Cervantes is very weak and for someone who lives in Panama (when not here) quite embarassing.
Off we go to Language school in Seville in September and of course daily tutoring here.
I use GD as a way to inform myself on various issues, and to keep up with developments, as others have said. It’s also a great way to prep for debates about issues IRL.
This thread is starting to sound like a SDMB commercial. 
Don’t let our secret get out! The poor hamsters are abused enough already!!
As to the OP, yes.
Not from night to day that I can recall, but discussions here have moved me from from night to twilight, or from twilight to day. Often they serve to get me thinking about things I otherwise wouldn’t consider.
I’m so sorry I used the term “IRL”. Pretty soon i’M GoInG tO StArT TyPiNg LiKe ThIs…
Ah hem. I meant a good way to prep for debates about issues in person.
I’ve changed by opinion on Gun Rights (used to be agin 'em but now support 'em), corporal punishment (used to think it was inhumane but now believe there’s some merit to it) and the war on drugs (never used to have any problem with it 'cos I never used drugs but just one post about how the Government should mind its own damn business was enough to change my mind on that issue).
I don’t think I’ve never felt the need to lock onto a particular side or position on any issue. But I’ve learned an awful lot from dopers including the ones who despise me.
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The race issue. This is probably the second most informative topic for my previous understanding of what race is all about even though I still feel that the probability that a top sprinting athlete is likely to be black by nature.My generalized view has more than ever now made skin colour completely irrelevant in my relationships with blacks. This from a guy whose best friend in high school was black and who has a daughter who most lilely will end up marrying a black guy even though the incidence of blacks in the areas I’ve live is less than 1%.
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The bible. Coming from a puritan and fundamentalist heritage, I, although being able to break free of the bonds due to hedonistic self interest still had great difficulty in challenging the divine inspiration/infallibility of the bible. As I grew older, my relationship with God became more important to me, but it wasn’t until I was exposed to the atheists of this board that a lot of discrepencies became apparent. Fortunately, there were Christians on board who were able to put the bible in a more realistic perspective. I now believe that the bible was written by people who were inspired by God, but still as infallible as you or me. Believe me that is no small accomplishment, and did not occur overnight.
I am always learning something new here and that alone makes it worth the effort.
As for changing my mind:
Although I do like to read opposing views and think about the reasoning behind others’ beliefs, I haven’t really changed my mind much on the issues. I am a little bit more open to politically conservative Dopers when I see that some here are open-minded also. For too long I have associated most conservatives with the Religious Right.