Changing Opinions

I usually stand pretty firm in my beliefs but there have been some cases where I have had my mind changed. Usually these changes come from how close of relationship I am to the person or group that is trying to change my mind. Certain views my parents have especially persuade me into some of my beliefs. If I read something online, I tend to already have an opinion about it that is hard to change. But if my father asks me if I read that article, then backs up his claims with some unknown facts, I tend to believe him. I think the person who is trying to persuade us has a great influence on whether or not we change our opinion. If it is just some friend you know who uses the word “like” after every other word or tends to just say “I don’t like this” without any facts to go along with it, then it is very hard to convince me to sway sides. If it is a professor, or someone who has had experience or knowledge growing up in my society, then I find it easier to be persuaded. I need to have facts. Without facts, I think it is just one’s opinion, and it does not really matter to me. I think experiences can change one’s mind also. For example, if someone smokes on a daily basis, but then has a family member die of lung cancer, this may persuade them to change their mind about it. Events can have major impacts on our lives and what we have opinions about. Religion is also very important. Some people may disagree with what Obama has to say because of a strong stance in their religion, others may agree because they are less conservative. This relates back to our parents. A religion we have been growing up with our whole lives or taught about tends to stick in our minds. Our parents and peers have constantly been pushing ideas into our minds throughout our whole life; it becomes complicated to change things. The only way I can really have someone change my mind is by presenting very hard facts to me. If I honestly think back to when someone changed my mind, I cannot depict one time it has actually occurred. I feel that I have grown up with the same opinions on politics, religion, friends, social experiences my whole life. The most someone has actually done is increased my opinion to sway even more. I have had people try, and sometimes they get close, but most of the time, especially if it is someone of my age I cannot be persuaded. I am stubborn and sticking with my ideas is very important to me. I do listen to the other side though. I give them a chance, but deep down I know that I am still very into my own opinion and ideas. I try to change opinion though, but by using facts also. It is a hard process to change someone’s opinion, because in essence it is changing a part of them also.