Let's get interactive! How many of you can name an example from your own lives where you had previously held a belief inspired by tribalism of one sort or another, but then came to a realization that you had been completely wrong and changed your view on that topic?
In other words, let's share examples of where we had previously held an opinion based on willful ignorance (based on strict adherence to a religion, political party, ideology, favorite football team, etc.), but later gave up that willful ignorance and embraced a far more enlightened and informed position?
We've all done it, no doubt, at various times in our lives. I will share some examples of mine in a long-ish post in the next few days, but I'd love to hear examples from others as well, as hearing these kinds of stories is really quite inspiring to me. It speaks to people's abilities to grow emotionally and intellectually over time and to set aside our egos (which want to believe that we are always right, no matter how wrong we may be) in favor of embracing objectivity, and thereby become far better able to reach sound conclusions based on facts and logic.
When I still lived in Montana I was pretty much against any form of "environmental interference" when it came to extractive industries. I never personally worked in that industry but I considered any environmentalist my enemy because they were threatening someone's "job". I also called any study related to global warming as junk science. I've done a complete 180 with regards to those beliefs. That isn't to say I'm insensitive to someone's employment but if your job involves smothering a beachhead with Quaker State I'll object. I've also wished the U.S. to lead the way in developing alternative and renewable energy sources for purely monetary purposes too.
ReplyDeleteAs well, when it comes to gay marriage, I don't know if I was ever really against it.....but I considered it whining on the part of gay people to keep hammering away at it. I no longer feel that way. It just seems to make sense to allow it now.