Nikolai

Yes. I went from Rusian orthadox to liberal christian to agnostic and, finaly, to agnostic atheism.

Wiploc

I think I talked somebody around on abortion. I was given "partial credit" for a conversion to atheism. I switched to anti-death penalty while reading an article on the subject. I switched to pro-ERA when somebody showed me anti-ERA literature. I went from Christian wannabe to anti-Christian when I read the ontological, cosmological, and teleological arguments.

You don't see many actual conversions in your life, because people don't usually convert on the spot. But you can plant a seed. You can show people that you aren't a spawn of satan by being a generally nice guy, by having a confident manner, and by having arguments that stand up to inspection. You may never see or notice the results of that kind of behavior, but you can make a difference in the world.
crc

Luiseach

What's an 'agnostic atheist'? :-/

joedad

For me, just questioning my own convictions - based upon evidence - represents a shift.

I used to be gung-ho for the death penalty until I learned how badly the system operates at times, that being in large measure the result of conversations with my brother and a former poster named SingleDad.

I think that represents a major change.

joe

Vicar Philip

I was a conservative Christian, Republican, listened to Rush Limbaugh, frequented NewsMax.com, rushlimbaugh.com, and a couple other right-wing web sites. Still not sure about all my political feelings, though I'm certainly not as staunch as I used to be.

The one thing I've truly taken to heart from the message board here at II is to investigate and learn knowledge FOR YOURSELF. Don't take what someone says as the truth unless you have researched it and come to the same conclusion yourself. In other words, THINK.

Use that gray matter that took millions of years to develop up in that thick skull. If something seems fishy, don't just give up; check it out! Kids today (says the cranky old Vicar) have it so easy with the 'Net. I remember when a book report required weeks of time in the library and three packs of 3x5 index cards.

Information is only a click away. Use it.

Vicar

Adrian Selby

I've mostly learned a lot since visiting this site, I haven't changed my views very much, but as others have said, I've had them tested, and so far, the refinements and defenses have so far stood firm. However, I've always been keenly aware of the weaknesses in the things I believe, as all philosophers should be, so where these are exemplified in the form of criticism, I always filter my views through these criticisms.

Generally, I tend to enjoy reading the views of those I most disagree with easily as much as those I agree with. You never know....

Adrian