Can you be friends with someone who is passionate about political views that con

1. 82

   sholland10posted 12 years ago

   Can you be friends with someone who is passionate about political views that contradict yours?
   
   I seem to see more and more friendships and family arguments over politics.  Whatever happened to "agree to disagree."  Can you move past the points you disagree on?  If not, why?

   replyreport
2. 0

   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   Yes, You can. I always try to stay away from two subjects when it comes to friends or family, Politics and religion. I just avoid bringing them up, and if they are brought up, I stay away from the conversation. The reason being is because we are all very passionate when it comes to both of these subjects.

   replyreport
3. 76

   Chad Thieleposted 12 years ago

   I agree with JThomp42. I have many friends who are passionate about politics who have views that are very different from mine. The key is to have shared interests in other areas of life.
   
   If you don't have anything in common with someone else, then there is no foundation for friendship, and it is doomed to fail.
   
   If you have other shared interests, build on that and avoid politics and religion.
   
   For a real-world example, look at James Carville (a prominent figure in the Democratic party) and Mary Matalin (a political consultant for the Republican party.) They have been married for many years and they are making it work. According to wikipedia.org, "Both Matalin and Carville have gone on record saying that they do not talk politics at home."

   replyreport
4. 60

   Josakposted 12 years ago

   Absolutely not only friends and family but even husband and wife etc. can be happy together with different political views, as a radical leftist I have plenty of conservative friends, we just don't discuss politics or if we do the purpose is to learn and debate not "win".
   Two of my best friends are a married couple one of whom is a firm democrat the other very conservative but they respect and love each other enough for it not to be an issue and they can even discuss politics without any problem the key is just maturity and acceptance.
   
   Anyone who can't be associate with people who they disagree with politically just because of that is very immature.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      JThomp42posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Bravo!!

      replyreport
5. 61

   fpherj48posted 12 years ago

   I suppose you'd get some REAL and rational answers from James McCarville & wife, Mary Matalin!.....but, they probably aren't available right now.   Then there's my husband and I, who are pretty much polar opposites, politically....and well, frankly, we have very few shared opinions and we get along famously, have a great relationship.
     My close friends are all over the map.....some who share my views and others who fiercely defend their views, others who have no clue which direction to lean toward.nor do they care... lol....   
   IMO, If you have enough things in common and a bond of friendship, certain topics, once opposing views have been established, don't need to be discussed.  When my friends and I do get into any sort of political debate, we will  simply express an opinion and an explanation as to why we might hold that opinion.  End of discussion.
   We can and DO agree to disagree.  No problems.  No hard feelings.  Mature, intelligent adults can have friendships with people of all varying differences.   
   I wouldn't even think of defending my political views at the possible cost of a close friendship.  That's fairly ludicrous.  and THIS is a very interesting question, Susan....!

   replyreport
   1. 61

      fpherj48posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Susan... Thank you. I am honored.

      replyreport
6. 67

   Alecia Murphyposted 12 years ago

   I don't talk politics or religion with someone I'm not close to- friends or family and online I generally don't go there either too many people stereotype each other due to things such as political views.
   But in general like effer, JThomp42 and others have said- it is possible. Maturity, self-awareness, insight and appropriateness are needed to do so.
   Since this is an election year, I think rhetoric is high and emotions are higher since celebrities are involved so that makes people feel more impassioned to share about their views.
   Whoever you are, as long as you respect me and my ability to think and make informed and rational decisions- then I have no problem with agreeing to disagree.

   replyreport
7. 59

   mio cidposted 12 years ago

   Some of the people i have and do love the most  are and were conservatives and i have many friends who are conservative, but i do have the advantage of living with my grandparents during my childhood both of whom were as rightie as it gets and i came out leftie but that only made for really interesting political discussion daily at the dinner table but never  any disrespect or  hate.

   replyreport
8. 81

   Attikosposted 12 years ago

   Of course. Everyone has a right to his own beliefs. I have friends from all positions of the three-dimensional sociopolitical matrix. The friendship comes first. It rises from character, not from point of view.
   
   Things that do rub me the wrong way include: blind partisanship, which depending on who is suffering from it is either stupid or mindless, rendering the blinded not worth talking with; hidden agendae, which require one to adopt insincerity and often dishonesty in discourse, marked by a habit of taking whatever position on an issue seems to advance his unstated objectives; fallacious argument, a sure mark of indefensible views. There are half a dozen others, but that suffices.

   replyreport
9. 60

   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   Yes, I could, as long as they respect my right to have my own opinion that differs from theirs.  Too often, political differences get ugly. It seems like the differences of opinion can be a trigger for very base and cruel behavior, including name calling and the entire process mystifies me.

   replyreport
10. 60

    violetheavenposted 12 years ago

    My many friends have various political stances.  I consider myself centrist with a right leaning and am registered republican. The only centrist in the group.  Amongst my friends there are those that are way left and those that are way right.  We respect each others right to opinion. The rule is that the extreme opposites don't discuss political issues together.  Those who are not easily offended often discuss it.   I think that people, whether liberal or conservative need to fix their easily offended attitudes.  Its fine to believe whatever you want, but its not cool to try and force it off on anyone else.  Thats what this issue boils down to.   People trying to push their opinions on to others, often insulting any opinion that differs from them and, the receiver of the insult becoming offended and offensive.  Instead of giving ear and consideration but, ultimately coming to your own sound opinion.  i

    replyreport
11. 73

    d.williamposted 12 years ago

    Intellectual people can overlook their differences of opinion, but the majority of people are certainly not intellectual enough to overcome their learned biases.  Most arguments regarding politics and/or religion are not based on logic, common sense or reality.  So, the answer to this question is both yes and no.
    Personally, i learn quickly at the onset of any discussion on these subjects whether to discuss them intelligently or simply walk away.  Most of the time i find myself walking.

    replyreport
    1. 84

       austinhealyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Well said !

       replyreport
12. 73

    agusfananiposted 12 years ago

    I think anyone's political views  nor other primordial backgrounds should not become a drawback in making friends. I always bear in my mind that the world becomes strong because there is diversity.

    replyreport
13. 58

    iefox5posted 12 years ago

    Why not? It is good for me to have someone discuss topics I'm interested in, even though we have different views.

    replyreport
14. 60

    aliciaharrellposted 12 years ago

    Yes, you can be friends with someone who is passionate about political views that contradict your own. I have many friends who do not share my political views for they have a mind of their own. We enjoy debating political issues while discussing them. We keep our debates friendly by showing respect for each other's opinions; validating one another's perceptions of each political view or issue. I call this being open minded. I personally love the diversity that people gift. The odd thing is that it is easier to be open-minded, than closed.

    replyreport
15. 84

    austinhealyposted 12 years ago

    Absolutely ! But that won't work for everybody. It can actually be extremely constructive, provided the people involved are open minded. The same goes for religious beliefs, even though religious people tend to be narrow minded. What brings people together initially is attraction. If they're not able to see past and welcome their differences, they just don't belong together in my opinion

    replyreport