How much have you changed?

[Walsingham]

I'm interested in how much people's discussion in WoT have changed their views on certain issues. That is, how frangible our opinions are.

 

I can only think of two examples.

 

1. Religion - I've become far more tolerant of people who express faith, through arguing their corner against harsh critics.

 

2. Republicans - I've decided both US parties are equally stinky. The choice at present seems to me whether you want to get robbed by Moriarty or by those guys from the Home Alone movies. You're still funted either way, but it's a question of tone.

[Kaftan Barlast]

The only thing Ive learned is that cynisism never goes out of fashion.

[Sand]

I haven't changed my views on religion and particularly Christianity for about 26 years. My view on the Republicans haven't changed because of these forums but because of Bush's actions really opened my eyes to what the Republicans are all about. I will not vote Republican because I look at their views on stem cell research, their values on equal rights, and the such and I find that they are completely and totally opposite in what I believe in most cases. They two issues I agree with most Republicans are issues of the Death Penalty and Immigration and that is about it.

[Walsingham]

But don't you think it's healthy for one's views to sometimes change?

[Sand]

Of course, such as Republicans, well most of them if not all, change their views on homosexuality and let them have equal rights as heterosexuals would definitely be a good thing. If the Democrats have stronger views of eliminating illegal immigration, that would be a good thing to.

[Walsingham]

Just not your views then?

[Sand]

Well, not because of WoT.

[Hiro Protagonist]

Other things in my life have had more of an impact and changed my views on many issues, than a forum on the internet like WOT. If there has been an internet forum that has changed my views, then I would credit the old BIS and IPLY political forums.

[Musopticon?]

1. Atheists are fun, I guess I've learned that.

 

2. I have actually developed a tolerance for shadiness in politics and now act as if it is a natural part, not a exactly a vital part, but pretty irredeemable in our system. That said, both parties have their share of bad air. I used to think, way back, of Republicans as nothing but gun-toting Texans and now treat both parties as equals, so I guess you could call that change.

[Gorth]

Changed? Not much really. Perhaps there is some truth in the saying, that you can't teach old dogs new tricks

 

If anything, WoT amuses me in a way that no tabloid paper, no reality show, no nothing else could. Observing people, reading, sometimes sniggering at the follies, sometimes just offering my monitor an amused smile. I raise an eyebrow every now and then when seeing people losing their temper over things I would consider trivial of perceived insults from people I would consider unworthy of even getting upset about.

 

I watch cultural differences, comparative ethical values, world news that I wouldn't go hunting for on my own and learn some interesting trivia at least once on every visit. My only regret is, that I can't really dedicate any real effort to participating in most of the discussions. Just jumping in and out of threads, reading bits here and there and on rare occasions post something more than a single line.

 

If anything, WoT has reinforced my biases, prejudices and what is most likely misconceptions, not changed anything. A pox upon you WoT!

[Tale]

My vies have really only changed in one regard. Climate change. I now fully accept that there is likely additional factors aside from rising pollution and carbon emissions, with the possibility that these additional factors are more significant factors.

 

My feelings about religion have not changed. I parted with Christianity because of a difference in philosophy. I feel that place of birth and indocrination should not be contributing factors towards eternal torment. I still believe Christianity fully disagrees with me on this point. However, I've never believed poorly of its followers in general nor in the purpose it serves in their lives.

I'd also still like to see Atheism as a religion get greater public exposure and that has not changed. Many people still view it as an absence of belief or faith, while for many (but not all) atheists, it is a system of belief and faith. WoT here, as well as other forums, delight me in revealing that we're not as uncommon as is traditionally percieved.

 

My feelings about politics have not significantly changed. I am still apathetic to parties and dislike the party system by principle. My feelings to politics in general is still mostly apathetic. I accept, as with many things, that I do not know as much as I should to form an opinion. Though my feelings on all subjects I feel competent to form an opinion have not changed. IE abortion, violent media

 

My faith in humanity is still in rapid flux. Individuals like Meta and Walsh tempt me to improve it, however others flaunt a very proud ignorance which sets me back to where I started. A cumulative effect may be causing a general lowering, but my field of education encourages more of an understanding than a blanket summary.

 

I still believe there are no girls on the internet. With one possible exception. The presence of only one exception does not encourage me to change my rule as it is surely a fluke which will be rectified on its own with time.

 

1. Atheists are fun, I guess I've learned that.

 

*hi-five*

 

I've always wanted to open up an atheist church. Which basically means coffee shop, arcade, and movie theatre with tax exempt status. You're invited for the Grand Opening.

Edited July 3, 2007 by Tale

[Musopticon?]

Cool. Can I bring a chocolate sculpture of Jesus? It's state-approved.

[Sand]

Chocolate covered Jesus waffers. Hmmmmm....

 

*munch munch munch*

 

HEY! Pass over the wine!

 

*munch munch munch*

[Xard]

Is it anatomically correct?

[Musopticon?]

As much as an image of Son of Man can be.

[Guard Dog]

2. Republicans - I've decided both US parties are equally stinky. The choice at present seems to me whether you want to get robbed by Moriarty or by those guys from the Home Alone movies. You're still funted either way, but it's a question of tone.

You are a wise man Wals!

[Guard Dog]

I have actually developed a tolerance for shadiness in politics and now act as if it is a natural part, not a exactly a vital part, but pretty irredeemable in our system. That said, both parties have their share of bad air. I used to think, way back, of Republicans as nothing but gun-toting Texans and now treat both parties as equals, so I guess you could call that change.

You are a wise man Musopticon

[Guard Dog]

My vies have really only changed in one regard. Climate change. I now fully accept that there is likely additional factors aside from rising pollution and carbon emissions, with the possibility that these additional factors are more significant factors.

 

My feelings about politics have not significantly changed. I am still apathetic to parties and dislike the party system by principle. My feelings to politics in general is still mostly apathetic. I accept, as with many things, that I do not know as much as I should to form an opinion. Though my feelings on all subjects I feel competent to form an opinion have not changed. IE abortion, violent media

 

My faith in humanity is still in rapid flux. Individuals like Meta and Walsh tempt me to improve it, however others flaunt a very proud ignorance which sets me back to where I started. A cumulative effect may be causing a general lowering, but my field of education encourages more of an understanding than a blanket summary.

 

I still believe there are no girls on the internet. With one possible exception. The presence of only one exception does not encourage me to change my rule as it is surely a fluke which will be rectified on its own with time.

 

You are a wise man Tale, and you have the coolest avatar.

[thepixiesrock]

Speaking of the internet as a whole, and not just here, I used to think that me and other athiests had common ground and that I would like them. As it turns out, I have come to dislike most of the athiests I have met, because they were usually always jerks and really annoying.

Edited July 3, 2007 by thepixiesrock

[Wistrik]

I've not changed any of my views according to what I've read in forums like these, and I generally avoid posting in religion/politics threads because nothing ever comes of it. On the other hand, I'll discuss religion and whatnot in person, like with someone at work, if the topic arises. It's easier for me to communicate in person, and to know if I'm irritating someone and should shut up.

[Cantousent]

I don't know what I've learned. Probably as much from the internet as from the world at large. That is to say, very little.

 

I've also learned that I tend to like and trust some atheists quite a bit, like Gorth. Even when he's making fun of me.

 

I've also learned that pixies doesn't answer his damned PMs.

[seejai]

i dont know what ive learned. when i was younger i would get offended pretty easily. im kindof sensitive. so the net has toughened me some.

as for politics.... grrr... theyre mostly all money hungry tyrants owned by the drug companies or theyre stupic, or completely powerless. im starting my own political party called goldturtle fish

[Aram]

I've chilled out a whole lot about pretty much everything. Really, it's pretty hard to get me riled up about anything. I think the series of agonizing, torturous, near-death experiences did that though. My opinions are still mostly the same, but I have, after years of self debate, decided real world weaponry wouldn't necessarily make Fallout any better or worse. I also think the war in Iraq was one of the stupidest ideas ever conceived, but that's natural these days.

 

In contrast, I bet that Yakroon guy has blown himself up by now.

[Krookie]

I'm to young to have "views" about stuff.

 

However, I guess I'm more tolerent of other people's religion, or lack of.

Edited July 4, 2007 by Krookie

[Meshugger]

I have learned that most Internet-fights don't start by people having radically different views on life and politics, it's more in terms of failure to communicate properly due to cultural differences and difficulties expressing yourself properly as well.