In your opinion, what is the best way to change someone's view on an issue?

[Writer]

Poll question: In your opinion, what is the best way to change someone's view on an issue?

i.e. Getting someone to "see the light" about Bush, global warming, etc.

[bertha katzenengel]

1. Never try to teach a pig to sing.

IOW, don't bother.

[Fire Walk With Me]

2. Show how your way is directly beneficial to that person.

Skillful use of omnipresent self-interest.

This of course requires the other to be capable of perceiving said benefits.

[undeterred]

3. People do change, and sometimes its because of discussion

but more often I think its because of a combination of life experience and hearing the point of view from different people.

I used to be completely ignorant about homosexuality... fundamentalist ignorant. Thank goodness for the gay people who were patient enough to talk to me and be open with me, because I did not change my mind overnight. I got tired of a lot of other things about fundamentalism before that issue bothered me. People can be very liberal about some things and still hold conservative beliefs about others. It doesn't help to treat people like they are stupid or haven't seen the light.

Regarding global warming- to me it just always seemed like an extension of being responsible toward the environment- don't litter, don't pollute because it will come back to hurt us. It seems obvious.

[pagerbear]

4. Personal experience

For example:

If someone knows a gay man or woman as an individual and not a stereotype, he will be more likely to care whether that gay man or woman has equal rights under the law and equal protection against crime and harassment.

If someone knows and cares about a committed gay or lesbian couple and learns that, should one be hospitalized, the other might have to fight heaven and earth simply to be able to see his/her partner, let alone learn about his/her condition, his view on marriage rights might be affected.

[Greyskye]

5. post a poll on the subject

;-)

[Writer]

10. ...

:P

:thumbsup:

[rug]

6. 2 x 4.

[JVS]

7. Firearms

;-)

[PoconoPragmatist]

8. You Can't Argue With People Who KNOW They Are Right...

All you can really do is sit back, and let them experience life for themselves, and hope that they don't have to learn the hard lessons that so many of us have had to learn....and learn the hard way.

It's easy to turn a blind eye to the sufferings of others when everything's just hunky-dory in your own life....but...when bad things happen to YOU...when it affects YOU...or someone YOU care about....maybe then, opinions will change.

People are very afraid of change.

[mitchum]

9. Sex or money...or sex with money

[tjwmason]

11. Depends on the person concerned.

Some will accept demonstrable facts.

Others will gradually adopt views when expressed over time.

Others have to have their minds changed without them knowing that you're trying to change their mind.