How have you shifted politically and religiously?

[Ban my account ffs!]

Politically:  I was a Republican through high school, because that's what my parents were.  Then I got to college and realized I wasn't actually conservative at all.  Becoming pro-choice was probably the last sticking point.  I knew I wasn't voting for Bush in 2004 but had thought about Nader for a while before ultimately deciding to vote Kerry about 3 weeks before the election.  Since then I've solidified into a pretty liberal/almost radical in some respects Democrat.

Religiously:  I am a very superstitious person.  It's not something I can really change, despite having tried.  I've been questioning my belief in God since I was a kid.  I realize looking back on it that I never really believed in God, but I also never really believed he didn't exist either.  I know that sounds weird... but it's like I accepted God without actually ever having faith he was there.

Now?  I refuse to be an atheist because I don't know.  If you know, good for you.  I don't.  And with the way the world has gone lately, I don't particularly care either.  If God is up there, he could do better.  And you're not gonna scare me with "eternal hellfire" bullsh**t either.  That's a load of sh**t and it always has been.  And if that's the only way God can make us believe in him.. by scaring us... then what a pathetic, puny little God he is.

So I'm agnostic.  I don't know.  I probably never will.  I wish beyond anything that there was an afterlife.  But there probably isn't.  Shame.

[Tetro Kornbluth]

I've learnt that politics is far too important to be left to the sort of people interested in it. Religion? I don't even give it a thought.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Politically... I shifted from very conservative, to essentially being a moderate on economics and pretty libertarian on most social issues... you know life experience has taught me a lot.

Religiously... I went because my mother wanted me to, but even as a child a lot of the concepts didn't pass the smell test for me. I'm not an atheist, because I believe that there is 'more' and I don't think it makes sense to make declaratives on something that is fundamentally a concept you cannot prove, one way or another.

I'm a happy agnostic, I don't know and I don't care that I don't know... when it matters, it'll be too late.

[TNF]

Southern Baptist fundamentalist ---> Militant atheist ---> Apathetic atheist

Populist (in the George Wallace sense) ---> Libertarian (lol) ---> Liberal/"Progressive" ---> Social Democrat ---> Socialist

[Arturo Belano]

Politically: I started off as a staunch conservative in middle school. Then I became a "progressive populist," although it was basically Peronism or Kemalism but socially liberal. Then I transitioned to a social democrat, and now I am a democratic socialist.

Religiously: For a long part of my life, I haven't had much of an idea of what my religious views actually were. But I guess I could say I was a Christian before becoming an agnostic. However, I tend to get really superstitious.

[Zanas]

I was an anarchist, I was an Antichrist, I did know what I want, but now I know how to get it. Oh and I don't want to destroy tthe passer-by anymore. I even say hello now and then.

[Хahar 🤔]

My politics have changed insofar as I used to be tolerant of differing viewpoints and now I'm not. As for religion, I have always been observant in an orthodox sense. I find it difficult to apply typical American Protestant standards of degree of religiosity to my own experience, since they lack the dimension of ritual observance that is by far the most important role of religion in my daily life.

[Hash]

Politically, I used to care a whole lot more, was passionate about a lot of things and rather enjoyed debate. Now I don't enjoy debate, my passion has turned into visceral hatred for a lot of things political and I don't care as much as I used to.

Ideologically, I used to be rather right-wing and nationalistic (circa 2007) due to my parents influences (Sarkozy 2007...), then I became a Moderate Hero in 2008-2009 and then gradually became more left-wing as I further deepened my hatred for Harper/the right in general. I still hate the political left and a lot of their supporters, but my views on issues and my even stronger hatred for the right makes me left-wing by default. In short, my politics separated from those of my parents as I became very interested in politics and I gradually lost interest/passion about politics after becoming extremely interested about it.

Religiously, I was baptized Catholic but it never went beyond that, so I've become atheist after being agnostic while younger. My parents' brief attempts to give me a religious education all ended quickly when they got bored of it themselves and forgot about it. Of course, living in a country where there are no legal churches or where it's near-impossible be a Christian in public helped things out a lot; though I doubt I would have been any more religious if I had lived in Canada my whole life. My parents simply don't care about religion much and they're way too blasé about it all (having been force-fed the Catholic dogma and silliness in their youths).

[MATTROSE94]

Politically: During the 2004 Presidential Election, 2006 Congressional Election and 2008 Presidential Elections, I strongly supported the Democratic Party and considered myself a strong progressive. Shortly after Obama took office (roughly in mid-2009 or so), my views began to shift far to the right due to the influence of talk radio and websites such as Conservapedia. By 2010, I was a staunch conservative who even though that the platform of the John Birch Society was too liberal. Beginning in 2011, around the time of the Debt Ceiling Crisis and the start of the Republican Primaries, my views began to fall back towards the center due to the actions of the Republican leadership in Congress and due to the fact that I began to look more at both sides of political issues. In addition, Atlas Forum helped to expose me to people who held different political views than mine. Today, I would consider myself a moderate Democrat overall.

Religiously: My views are basically the same since I was young.

[anvi]

Yeah.  Started out as a Catholic Republican, transitioned to an atheist Democrat and now am basically amorphous.  The advantage to being either a Catholic Republican or an atheist Democrat is that either of those stances could at least please some people.  Now, I please no one, not even myself. 

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

I was an anarchist, I was an Antichrist, I did know what I want, but now I know how to get it. Oh and I don't want to destroy tthe passer-by anymore. I even say hello now and then.

what

[afleitch]

I was an anarchist, I was an Antichrist, I did know what I want, but now I know how to get it. Oh and I don't want to destroy tthe passer-by anymore. I even say hello now and then.

what

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/sex+pistols/anarchy+in+the+uk_20123592.html

[TDAS04]

Politically:  I was more libertarian when I was younger, and more liberal now.  The only time when I was convinced that I was Republican was when I didn't understand its ideology.  I rooted for Bob Dole in 1996 because several of my favorite presidents (such as Lincoln) were Republican.  I was 9 and didn't know any better.

Religiously:  I was not raised heavily in any particular religious tradition, but I have developed a stronger faith over the years.  Joining a liberal Protestant denomination might suit me well; the ELCA, UCC, and Episcopal Church all seem good.

[Flake]

Politically: I've grown from a center right kid (my parents were Bush 04 voters, voted for Gore in 00) and I was against abortion, marriage equality, marijuana legalization, and now I am a far left Democrat that is just very far left (one of the most liberal on the forum )

Religiously: Less religious, I don't go to church every week, but I believe in God.

[Zanas]

I was an anarchist, I was an Antichrist, I did know what I want, but now I know how to get it. Oh and I don't want to destroy tthe passer-by anymore. I even say hello now and then.

what

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/sex+pistols/anarchy+in+the+uk_20123592.html

Happy to have you around afleitch

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Politically: I have been rather conservative in my politics.  I have almost always been against abortion and gay marriage, except for a brief period after the 2006 midterms when I began to question such positions.  My views haven't really changed much (except for becoming more fiscally conservative), but I've become more pragmatic and open to compromise when necessary (one reason why I dislike the Tea Party movement despite agreeing with many of their ideas.)

Religiously: I definitely believe in God and am very much a Christian.  My uncle is a Lutheran minister and baptized me as a baby, but I never really thought much about religious issues until I was about ten and my family began reading the Bible and a devotional every evening.  They have always been Adventists as long as I've been alive (my grandma joined the SDA church until the early 70s), and when I was 13, I was baptized into the SDA church as well.  However, my views since then have become much more liberal for Adventist circles.  Although I am a sabbatarian and believe in the value of sabbatarianism, I reject the notion that the Catholic church is the Antichrist, that Sunday worship is the "mark of the Beast," or that the Sabbath is the "seal of God."  (Based on Revelation 14, which describes anyone who receives the mark of the Beast being tormented with fire and brimstone.)  Jesus is the one who saves us, not the Sabbath.  Of course, this is not an official Adventist doctrine, and if it were, I could not accept it.  I think the "remnant" applies to all Christians who genuinely believe in Jesus rather than any specific denomination, and I have an agnostic view on death (since the Bible isn't entirely clear on what happens after people die.)  I believe that God has designed His creation to evolve and adapt for their survival, that vegetarianism isn't always healthier (having a healthy diet in the first place is more important than whether or not you eat meat), and eating non-kosher meats/seafood (like pork and shellfish) is not sinful or prohibited for Christians (although I believe there are benefits to abstaining from those foods, I acknowledge the words of Mark 7:19, where Jesus declares that eating nothing in moderation is sinful.)  I believe that Ellen White is only a prophet in the sense that she was a good teacher, much like Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, Billy Graham, etc.  The Bible is our only authority on doctrinal and spiritual matters (something, ironically, that the SDA church has taught me.)  I could go on and on, but essentially, I am a progressive Adventist who, despite agreeing with many of the basic tenets of the SDA church, have some fundamental disagreements with some of the more conservative Adventist doctrines.

Politically: I've grown from a center right kid (my parents were Bush 04 voters, voted for Gore in 00) and I was against abortion, marriage equality, marijuana legalization, and now I am a far left Democrat that is just very far left (one of the most liberal on the forum )

Religiously: Less religious, I don't go to church every week, but I believe in God.

You've got some pretty stiff competition, man.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Politically: I started out with a rather limited viewpoint and parroted many of the views I had learned at home. I was a pretty foolish kid, and rather melodramatic in many ways. As I became more accustomed to the world, I found appeal in ideas of non-aggression and non-violence and became a libertarian. I'll admit, there was also a lot of appeal in not being a liberal. The bond forged by those who share a minority interest is one stronger than steel and I made my best friends by sharing with them a common antipathy for the prevailing currents that surrounded us.

     Unfortunately, I am too much of a syncretist, and am too prone to not think about an issue other than in the context of how others think about it. I took the opportunity to listen to myself think, and I realize now that it is in my nature to be an ultra-conservative. It is a curious thought, but I still believe in non-aggression, though, so my PM score is pretty accurate on a purely policy level. After all, it is no place of mine to tell others how to live their lives.

     Religiously: I once considered myself religious, but I had no concept of what it meant. For as long as I could consider myself to have had a modicum of mental maturity, I have not believed. Rather, I do believe in the non-existence of God or Gods. It is something that I have confidence in at a level that I cannot rationalize.

     With that said, I have taken an interest in religion on a cultural level. My family is Catholic, but I was never raised as such. Seeing service once in church, I found appeal in the idea of Catholicism as a cultural institution, a long and storied tradition that I could take part in. It hasn't progressed past the level of an odd interest, but it is something that has been sitting in the back of my mind for a while now.

[rejectamenta]

My political beliefs have been more or less the same since I took any notice of them. I suppose there was a time where I was drawn more to popular emotional appeals above all else, but any flicker of positivity and hope for something better I had was smothered a long time ago and replaced with cynicism and distractions.

I remain permanently in denial about the possibility of a creator or higher life form that could be in any way relevant to us, but the monolithic entity of Catholicism has fascinated me for the past few years and I often find myself awestruck by the grandeur of it all when reading about the happenings and personalities. I cannot reconcile with it whatsoever. Chalk it up to a latent, halfhearted desire to participate in something 'greater' or escapism, either one works.

[Leftbehind]

Politically, I used to care a whole lot more, was passionate about a lot of things and rather enjoyed debate. Now I don't enjoy debate, my passion has turned into visceral hatred for a lot of things political and I don't care as much as I used to.

[...]

Religiously, I was baptized Catholic but it never went beyond that, so I've become atheist after being agnostic while younger. My parents' brief attempts to give me a religious education all ended quickly when they got bored of it themselves and forgot about it. Of course, living in a country where there are no legal churches or where it's near-impossible be a Christian in public helped things out a lot; though I doubt I would have been any more religious if I had lived in Canada my whole life. My parents simply don't care about religion much and they're way too blasé about it all (having been force-fed the Catholic dogma and silliness in their youths).

These sound a lot like me - although I was educated in Catholic schools and became an atheist at a relatively young age. My only real change since then is it's less of a issue (in the defining of myself sense) now than it has been in the past for me - echoing TNF's apathetic atheism.

My political 'journey' has been one way: social democrat to socialist, and though I may have changed my opinion on some issues, my underlying principles have remained relatively unchanged.

[RI]

Politically:
1. Neoconservative (? -> 2005) / Republican
2. Libertarian (2005 -> 2007) / Democratic
3. Liberal (2007 -> 2009) / Democratic or Independent
4. Communitarian (2009 -> now) / Independent

Religiously:
1. Undefined Christian (? -> 2004?)
2. Atheist (2004? -> mid 2008)
3. Undefined Christian (mid 2008 -> mid 2009)
4. Roman Catholic (officially April 2010 -> present, unofficially mid 2009 -> present)

[Kushahontas]

Political:
High School-Freshman Year of College: moderate hero dem, socially conservative, economically third-way, team blue-dog, southern democrat. Honestly, I wasn't as politically involved back then. Originally a Hillary supporter, I was nonetheless excited when Obama got elected. That was probably what helped spark my progressive trend tbh.

Sophomore Year of College: I found feminism and sex and drugs and rock n roll and college indoctrination so I became significantly more liberal, particularly on issues such as immigration and LGBT rights. Founded the school's local YD chapter. Typical blue-state dem.

Junior-Senior Year of College: Became much more left-wing, though outside of our domestic political culture, I am still considered a socially-liberal center-left type of guy. I flirted briefly with Democratic socialism, but have reverted back to where I was beforehand (though many would likely still urge that I am one at heart). Community activism begins at this stage and becomes a big thing.

Post-College: social liberal/progressive with bright green leanings. No party affiliation. I suppose I am also a sort of techno-progressive. I am quite eurosceptic, however. Heavy emphasis on feminism, defense/expansion of the safety net, urbanism, and government transparency.

Religious:
High School: Roman Catholic, somewhat devout
College (freshman): non-denominational Christian
College (junior year): transitionary phase
College (senior year)-present: Atheist

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

Politically: my formative years were spent in a Democratic household during the Bush administration as Obama was beginning his meteoric rise. Considering my ethnic background and increasing affinity with cosmopolitan cultural activities, this destined me to eternal religious devotion to the Democratic Party. In my life, the narrative of the fight between Democrats and Republicans is one that reflects personal conflicts with Republicans representing everything that is evil and Democrats being the "good guys". Recently, I've realized this will probably not change with maturity.

As far as ideological identification goes, I've been all over the place. I don't hold coherent views and am still attempting to reconcile dissonant viewpoints. My love of history and working class heritage made me a self-described socialist at a young age but my American upbringing left my susceptible to standard refrains about liberty: I had a love affair with a libertarian approach to social issues in high school as a result of this. College turned me into a feminist and wiped this belief system away. I now identify with Marx, socialism and the historical struggle of the radical left but I also identify with the promise of capitalism (economics major) and a few other liberal beliefs to a degree. Increasingly, I've discovered that I am actually a leftist: being in contact with the elite has made me self-aware. The likelihood of me disavowing the idea of using markets as a mean to an egalitarian end is high.

Religion: went to church weekly until high school, then became a militant atheist before chilling out with marijuana and staying a calm secular person. I'm now rediscoveing religion as a 19 year old. Godless modernity leaves a lot to be desired. As my civil religion appears flaccid and weak in the face of the triumphant global consensus, maybe I can find consolation in rituals steeped in two thousands years of history?

[Vosem]

Politically I've gone from neoconservative to libertarian-interventionist-thing (basically, from right- to left-wing on cultural issues like abortion/gay marriage), and religiously from nonpracticing Jewish to 'agnostic who self-identifies as Jewish because cultural reasons'. Neither shift (as you can tell) was particularly radical like some of the ones described above, and both were complete by the start of 2011 or so. There has been a more minor recent shift away from global warming skepticism, but my basic underlying energy policies (support nuclear, support green research, but keep using fossil fuels for now) have pretty much remained the same. And that's about it.

[TJ in Oregon]

Politically: The only three issues I've clearly changed my mind on over the years are legalized gambling and capital punishment, both of which I start out in favor of and switched to being against. I have slowly become less interventionist as I watched the Iraq War fall apart and quite a bit more skeptical about going to war than I once would have been. I think I've become more communitarian than I was in high school for certain, although I suspect the decision to move to Madison may be subtly pushing my economic views to the right.

Religiously: I was raised Catholic, so no overt changes there, although I have definitely become more religious since high school when I was basically going through the motions. There was about a four year period in there when I never went to confession, so I definitely can't claim that wasn't something of a lapse. After my freshman year of college, I spent the summer doing manual labor and do some thinking about the priorities in my life, and I became more devout since then.