Final answer:
Being controversial involves matters that ignite public disagreement or debate, often due to strong, polarized views on social, political, legal, or personal issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Being controversial means to give rise to public disagreement or debates due to differing opinions and views. Controversy is often associated with issues that elicit strong and polarized reactions from people. These can range from social issues, political ideologies, to interpretations of laws or artwork.
As seen in the context of judicial activism, a judge may be suspected of letting personal beliefs influence their legal decisions, leading to controversial rulings that appear to challenge the separation of powers.
Similarly, in societal conversations, controversial topics such as the importance of being an "anti-racist" or recent protests can spur significant discussion on systemic changes, reflecting profound disagreements among citizens.
Even within personal belief systems, encountering contradictory ideas can be disturbing and force a reevaluation of previously held views, making the process of adapting new beliefs or understandings a controversial experience for oneself.