Every argument has two sides
Most of us have personal opinions. Some of them might be so entrenched and heart felt we might call them convictions. Abortion, the war of terrorism, affirmative action, education, conservatism, liberalism, whatever. What has shaped what side we fall on in these issues? It depends on how we were brought up and who told us about it. The first person (whom you trust) who tells you about any such topic will probably do a good job in convincing you their way.
What we all must do is not to be closed minded about the other side of the argument. If you simply choose to hold onto one side of an issue and not even consider the other side, well, then your opinion has little weight in my eyes. Many people who are pro-life do not understand that abortions were going on long before they were legal. They were sometimes referred to as ‘back alley’ abortions. If, for whatever reason, the law was changed, abortions would continue, and they would not be done in a controlled safe place of a hospital. If you are pro-choice, understand that those who are pro-life believe that God created that fetus and that it should be born, raised and nurtured, just like every other child brought into this world. They care for children and the human race. I say this to emphasize that neither side is ‘wrong’ once you choose to analyze WHY they feel that way. To brush off someone’s opinion as incorrect because they are stupid, arrogant, or just clueless is to desecrate their right to have an opinion and makes your opinion equally worthless.
I consider myself slightly left of center, politically. I have slowly drifted left in the last 10 years, probably because of discussions with my lovely wife (who is rather left wing) Every once in a while I listen to Rush Limbaugh or some other ultra ring wing talk show. Sure, I disagree with many things that they are saying, but that is not the reason I listen. I listen so I can understand better where they are coming from.
If you want to change someone’s opinion on anything, you cannot start by saying ‘You’re wrong and here is why’ That just won’t work, as you have put them on the defensive and they will probably tune you out. You certainly won’t convince them of anything. To convince them, you need to start out where they are for the reasons that they are. Make them feel comfortable and then walk them gently to your side of the argument. Help them to see the other side. Only then, can they make the conscience decision to (maybe) change their opinion. You have to be nice about it though, and you have to understand if they disagree anyways.
There are those who will not change their opinion at all as a matter of personal pride. I know of many people who simply refuse to see that what the Bush administration did was wrong when they invaded Iraq. No WMD’s were found, Saddam had no connection to 9/11 whatsoever. We invaded a sovereign country for no reason whatsoever. Usually when countries do that (Germany in WWII, Iraq in 1990, north Vietnam) the world community gets really ticked and fights back. When we did it, nobody said boo. But that’s for another time. My point is that some people still think Bush is doing a good job. Why? Who knows. Because they voted for him and don’t want to admit it was a mistake?
It is perfectly all right to change your opinion. Being an American allows you that freedom to question authority, to be on the minority side of an argument. We have no political prisoners here, which is a great thing if you ask me.
Making an opinion is a personal choice, nobody can force you to feel one way or the other.