I was thinking along these lines recently, after joining this site. On fb for instance ALL my religious and political friends just want to argue their side. No discussion no enlightenment, I'm right you're wrong. I love listening to different points of views and different ideas. I have adjusted my thinking at times or agreed to disagree and move on. I respect opinions. You don't have to agree with me. I don't have to agree with you but let's have a thought provoking discussion. I will say however, that non-believers can be just as rigid. My ego isn't big enough for me to be absolutely rigid on some ideas. I'm pretty accepting of the fact that I can learn something from just about anybody. I look for that door of compromise or window of opportunity to plant a seed or two. I think I've found many like me on this sight.
 Martie1965
                                                
                                                Level 6
                                                Aug 20, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Martie1965
                                                
                                                Level 6
                                                Aug 20, 2018                                            
                                        You have, indeed. Peace.
Believers do not accept facts because "they know". We don't know but we do not believe until we have some facts. Not just some brain chemicals that provide visions. I changed my opinion on gay folks 40 years ago & capitol punishment 30 years ago. Changed my opinion of cilantro & consuming carrion. I am working on changing my opinion of men. A few on this site have contributed to that endeavor.
 Mooolah
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Aug 20, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Mooolah
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Aug 20, 2018                                            
                                        The meaning of life is to evolve. For humans that means acquiring knowledge. Knowledge often means change. I embrace this fact.
 JackPedigo
                                                
                                                Level 9
                                                Aug 20, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    JackPedigo
                                                
                                                Level 9
                                                Aug 20, 2018                                            
                                        I try to be fact based as much as possible, but certain things tend to affect that. Lack of sleep, food, and time make me more emotional. If I haven't eaten, slept, or had time to process something there's a good chance I'll respond more emotionally. Many people start their beliefs from a place of emotion, the intelligent back their beliefs with facts. Sometimes that takes time to research and gather facts. I can't imagine a life without people that felt the same. That's why I'm here.
 Willreef
                                                
                                                Level 6
                                                Aug 20, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Willreef
                                                
                                                Level 6
                                                Aug 20, 2018                                            
                                        I'm open to new information but change without evidence will not happen for me. But if I am having a discussion and I hold an opinion and someone presents me with facts then I'm quick to admit I'm wrong.
 Fibonacci1618
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Aug 21, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Fibonacci1618
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Aug 21, 2018                                            
                                        I like to think I'm always open to new facts. But realistically, it may take me quite a while to accept the new facts presented to me if they seem to contradict the existing facts I've already accepted. I think my strength is a fascination with my own cognitive dissonances that causes me to turn them this way and that, examining the structure, rather than running from them in fear.
 Ribarnica
                                                
                                                Level 5
                                                Aug 20, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Ribarnica
                                                
                                                Level 5
                                                Aug 20, 2018                                            
                                        Yes. I really like all the answers but this one resonated, I know cognitively first, still may take a little time to let go of a past belief.
I've done it before and I expect I'll do it again. Facts are facts. I may have an opinion based on my understanding, but if presented with verifiable facts that dispute that, I'll admit I'm wrong or change my view. Doesn't mean that I'll change the way I approach life or how I view my world politically, though.
 GinaMaria
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Aug 20, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    GinaMaria
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Aug 20, 2018                                            
                                        I will follow the demonstrable, testable, verifiable, falsifiable facts.
 NoMagicCookie
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Aug 21, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    NoMagicCookie
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Aug 21, 2018                                            
                                        Never was a truer fact! Sticking to your guns is fine, but only as long as you have them pointing at the right target!
 Marionville
                                                
                                                Level 10
                                                Aug 21, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Marionville
                                                
                                                Level 10
                                                Aug 21, 2018                                            
                                        I’m probably too pliable to be honest. Myers Briggs ENTP. Everything is shades or grey.
 TimWhitaker
                                                
                                                Level 6
                                                Aug 20, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    TimWhitaker
                                                
                                                Level 6
                                                Aug 20, 2018                                            
                                        I don't bother with 10k earthers or climate deniers. I have had some discussion with people who believe the climate is changing and don't want to spend the money or time to fix it. I'll give any one 5 to 1 odds that once Trump leaves the White House, if alive, he changes his tune on climate change and wants the government to pay for breaker walls to protect his precious Mar a Lago.
 Beowulfsfriend
                                                
                                                Level 9
                                                Aug 20, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Beowulfsfriend
                                                
                                                Level 9
                                                Aug 20, 2018                                            
                                        I have always found that an interesting common quirk about agnostics/atheists.
The answer to: What would it take to change your mind?
Agnostics/Atheists are keen to list a few things that would indeed change their minds (however improbable we know them to be)
Theists will often answer: nothing will ever change my mind.
 BeardedWonder
                                                
                                                Level 6
                                                Aug 20, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    BeardedWonder
                                                
                                                Level 6
                                                Aug 20, 2018                                            
                                        My father called me obstreperous as I liked to argue (that's discuss, Dad) various points. I am always on the look out for evidence and facts by which to tailor my thoughts and conclusions.
Going further, I use a form of this point when discussing with believers my atheism (usually when called closed-minded for not being open to their faith). I know the types of facts that what will make me change my mind about my belief in god. As an example - I see artificial limbs left at Lourdes instead of canes as limbs have spontaneously regenerated. What fact will make you change your mind about your belief? (And when they say nothing, I remind them that they called me closed minded.....)
 RPardoe
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Aug 20, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    RPardoe
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Aug 20, 2018                                            
                                        Yup. Mostly, it's from a fear of hell. Also, most aren't too bright.
Link: Survey: Racists And Conservatives Have A Low IQ. Surprise, Surprise! [wp.me]
 birdingnut
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Aug 20, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    birdingnut
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Aug 20, 2018                                            
                                        I will change my mind based on facts, in the case of religion however I have zero belief that facts exist. If you make up some dumb shit I’m not going to say, I’ll believe it when I see it, I’m going to say, I don’t believe it. So I will change what I think about things that are “real”, like climate change or the effectiveness of a multivitamin... God has zero basis in reality so there is no starting point on which to change ones mind, you may as well try and convince me bugs bunny is a real live cross dressing bunny from Brooklyn that ocasiomally tunnels his way to Albuquerque.
 ArdentAtheist
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Aug 22, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    ArdentAtheist
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Aug 22, 2018