Are our views always entrenched?

This is a heartening thread

I think that views can change - otherwise why would anyone bother to exchange them? However some attitudes such as bigotry, prejudice and cynicism, that make education or enlightenment difficult, can be quite entrenched. However, life experiences can even change those. Is that not what being human is all about?

Greatnan I'm an agnostic Tory!! I try not to get involved in some of the political/religious 'discussions' that take place on Gransnet, but it doesn't mean that I'm not as passionate about my beliefs as any leftwing atheist. I just think people are entitled to have their own beliefs - whether political or religious - but I don't have to agree with them.

Principles you silly iPad!

My dad's principle's got in the way of him being with his family when they would have appreciated his support. My lovely grandad gave me away when I got married (ex wanted church wedding), whilst dad stood outside in the snow. His loss!

I knew one person who said she would not attend a Church wedding because it was hypocrisy and she put her principles before her family's hurt feelings. I thoroughly enjoyed my grandson's wedding and the only reason I didn't join in the hymns is because I am tone deaf and would have ruined them. I didn't grill my grand-daughter-in-law about her religious beliefs!
I make a bee-line for the cathedrals or old churches in every town I visit, as I enjoy the architecture and the atmosphere - and they are usually a good starting off point for the historic town centres.

Me too, Joan. I still go into churches, otherwise I wouldn't be part of other people's important ceremonies. I went to a christening last Sunday, heard the vicar say that baptism was the most important day in a Christian's life, read the 500 year old hymns whilst others were singing them (they had the date underneath them) and wondered about the relevance of religion to each person there in the church, the majority of whom only step foot in churches for the same reason as me.

The usual argument was 'It started under Labour'....but as I have as much contempt for Blair and his merry men as I have for Cameron, that was just another case of two wrongs not making a right.

I am with you on the political front, Joan! There is nothing anybody could tell me that would make me view this bunch of rich, privileged and selfish Old Etonians in any good light. I have noticed that the right wing supporters we had on Gransnet have been conspicuously quiet about some of the latest daft proposals - can it be that they also have 'seen the light'?

Being rigid about anything is a sign of giving in to old age imho. I also try to be OK about religious belief in others, because I tried to have belief myself for a long time, until I finally admitted to myself that religion just doesn't 'take' on me. I understand the social and traditional aspect of religion, and understand why it would be hard to give that up.

With politics though, my life experience has led me to remain left wing, because I have seen over the years the harm to ordinary people that right wing policies can do. When I was young, I tried to go away from these views because they were my parents' politics, but my investigations, when I was trying to become a Tory, just made me more of a Labour supporter. Over the years. I have been horrified at the way most of the press supports the right wing and distorts news that would support the left.

So, I've ended up a dyed-in-the-wool, somewhat cynical left wing atheist.

But I'm open to argument......

It only takes two people listening to each other, doesn't it? Entrenched positions and defensiveness aren't necessary when you are patient and kind. I think I have guessed which Gransnetter you're referring to, and it's a pleasure to debate things with her because she doesn't get personal