Is it real understanding if it doesn't change your perception?

Interesting discussion. It makes me think of the old saying, "Do as I say, not as I do." People are hypocrites. We may know or believe something, but it doesn't necessarily mean we are going to live by it. People just got to do what's right by them.

It may be, but we won't know until we put it to the test. We don't know the strength of our beliefs, until we take action on their behalf, until we risk something of value in an act of commitment. Some of the most famous people in history got there by risking everything for what they believed; for the rest of us, the action may be something less spectacular, even as mundane as starting a conversion online, under the protection of anonymity, and risk having our most intimate values thrashed by people who feel otherwise. But still, it's a risk, and that's the only real test. (Oh, dear, I'm oozing philosophy at 8 am, I haven't even had my coffee yet )