Do You Try and Change People's Minds...

[ChristineES]

I am wondering if anyone ever tries to change a person's mind when they debate.

I don't under normal circumstances. I just try to tell what I personally believe. On occasion there have been statements about Christians that don't apply to myself or to all Christians, and that is when I try to change someone's mind. But when it comes to personal beliefs I don't try to change their minds.

What about you guys?

 

[Storm]

Sometimes, but usually I'm more interested in exchanging ideas.

 

[BucephalusBB]

Depends strongly on the subject and the "opponent".
When my opponent and I have complete different thoughts, I am more an exchanger, but when our thoughts come close to eachother, I like them to come closer..

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I try to change someone's mind when I think that they are wrong/misguided, and that there is a possibility that they are willing, and able, to modify their viewpoint if presented to them correctly.

 

[Reverend Rick]

There are two sides to every coin.

 

[Charity]

No I really have never tried to change anyone's mind just get their view....If there as stubborn as me then I know there is no need to try.....

 

[Dunemeister]

Of course I try to change people's minds. Not always, of course, as the opponent may not be willing. But honestly, the very existence of a debate implies an intention by at least one participant to convince the other. There's nothing wrong with this. Somehow, I think that people have gotten it into their heads that it's "wrong" to try to convince other people that their ideas are wrong. And of course, they then go on to try to convince me that it's wrong for me (contrary to my current opinion) to convince others that they're wrong. There's something vaguely self-refuting about that position.

 

[Kathryn]

I enjoy reading other people's opinions and their perspectives, and at times, another's intelligent answer causes me to re evaluate my position, do some research, and occasionally change my own opinion or belief about something.

I would hope that my posts also shed light on my opinions and perspectives and may cause others to research and occasionally change their opinions and beliefs also.

I hold my own personal beliefs based on a lifetime of study, experience, interaction with others, and soul searching. I try to be as objective as possible - for instance, I don't read just material that bolsters my own beliefs - I enjoy challenging MYSELF. Over my lifetime (47 years), I have changed my mind about a lot of things - including some very profound philosophical tenets.

So I know it can happen, and I would be less than honest if I said I didn't want to encourage others to at least contemplate my position on things. When I sincerely and devoutly believe something - and that belief has enriched my life and the lives of others - of course I hope that others may find that same enrichment in those beliefs. It's not out of selfishness or hardheadedness - I want to help others. Maybe they can avoid some of the hard lessons I've had to learn through some tough experiences!

And I am grateful when I learn something from others as well - especially when I apply it to my life and I see a positive difference. You can bet I'll share that and hope others benefit as I have.

Pax.

 

[Sunstone]

You seldom get anywhere trying to change people's opinions. This site is about interaction for the sake of interaction, methinks.

 

[Makaveli]

When I am in a non-agitated and logical state of mind I attempt to give my ideas and make sure they are properly clarified. I am not under the illusion that I will change anyone's opinion.

 

[Valjean]

Always!
As a humanist I try to free the benighted from their sad morass of delusion.

 

[Founder]

It is easier to convince someone to agree with you if they don't have a strong position in the first place or feel you are more of an expert in a subject. If your a plumber or an electrician say you can convince a person they are wrong about their opinion about the flow of water or electicity or how to plumb or wire a house. If you have thought about a subject alot and the other person has not then they may be more apt to take your opinion if you present it clearly and intelligently. In religious matters certainly most adults but not all have had long enough to have a strong position as to what is real and what is not. You may still be able to convince or educate them about the details of what the already basically agree with. I would say I will try to educate people that I feel I know the subject matter and they are misinterpreting it.

 

[Arkholt]

It's impossible to change someone's mind if they are unwilling to have it changed. Changing your mind is your choice, and cannot be done by anyone else. I will present my view, and if you think it's good, you can adopt it as your own. If you don't like it, you won't. There's no way I can make you do anything.

I only hope that others will also understand this and afford me the same privilege.

 

[DallasApple]

Yes I do..even though I know I wont succeed.I try anyway..Not every time or all the time.Its better to have some possible "influence"..Just like I dont think anyone can "change my mind" either..But maybe modify or tweak my mind I hope Im open to that always and others are as well.

Love

Dallas

 

[ChristineES]

It's impossible to change someone's mind if they are unwilling to have it changed.

Trying to change someone's mind is different than actually changing someone's mind.

 

[whereismynotecard]

I am wondering if anyone ever tries to change a person's mind when they debate.

I don't under normal circumstances. I just try to tell what I personally believe. On occasion there have been statements about Christians that don't apply to myself or to all Christians, and that is when I try to change someone's mind. But when it comes to personal beliefs I don't try to change their minds.

What about you guys?

If I am debating, I usually am doing so to understand why someone disagrees with me and to try to get them to see why I disagree with them. We don't need to agree, but it is nice if we can both understand why the other feels differently. Abortion for example: I can understand why some people think it is okay; if they don't see the fetus as a baby, then there is nothing wrong with getting rid of it. And I hope that they can understand why I think it isn't okay, because I think the fetus IS a baby. They don't need to agree, but it is nice when they aren't mean to me about it and can see where I'm coming from.

I don't usually try to change someone's mind unless their view seems completely horrible and mean, like if they say "I hate Mexicans" or "women should be executed," Those things are really mean, and I don't think that is something you should have as an "opinion." Even then I usually don't bother, because most people who are really mean won't listen to me and won't be willing to change their mind anyway.

 

[Arkholt]

Trying to change someone's mind is different than actually changing someone's mind.

Very true. "Have you ever changed someone's mind?" would be a very different topic from this one.