Friends with different political views

[Nebulous]

Can you be friends with someone if they have very different political views from you?

Why or why not?

[ZandraJoi]

I can be civil. I'm of the Agree to Disagree. Problem with that is, it's gone by the wayside. So many Movements out there demanding Equal Rights when all it does is lean rights to one side. Theirs. & if you don't believe, don't agree, you are shunned.

I have no problem being friends with others who differ from my beliefs. I won't waste my time, however, on those who, while they demand they be heard, don't listen to others.

[Grungie]

I'm friends with a lot of people of different political beliefs. I'm generally not friends with extremists, and it has less to do with their beliefs, and more to do with them just being insufferable people. They tend to be the types of people where they base their personality off of one defining feature about them.

[Kyng]

Yeah, I have friends from all across the spectrum. Admittedly, there are some people I just don't talk politics with if I can avoid it - but, it doesn't stop me from being friends with them if we have other stuff in common.

Generally, different political views is only a problem for me if:

a) They want to try and convince me to join their side, or;

b) They plan to talk about politics all the time, or;

c) They have views that are genuinely beyond the pale (as in, truly fascist or something like that).

Edited January 22 by Kyng

[Uncrowned Guard]

As long as they are not extreme or overly zealous about the topic, political views don't bother me.  I actually prefer to be around people of different groups as it keeps my mind open.  

[Katy1966]

I'm friends who have all kinds of political beliefs. As long as they don't push their beliefs onto me or call me names, which is what people tend to do when they run out of facts for their positions, then we're fine. I WILL set boundaries when needed and make sure they stick to those boundaries and don't cross any lines. It's easier in person to have these types of discussions because you are more aware that you're talking to a human being. Online, people are more aggressive. 

[Nebulous]

Sure you can be friends with someone with different political views, just don't talk about politics.

[Shortie]

I understand that everyone has different political views from me and that does not affect the relationship or friendship that I have with someone at all. I respect their views and opinions and I expect them to respect mine as well. I tend to not go into political discussions as it can sometimes cause a lot of issues. 

[Joshua Farrell]

I view friendship along political lines, as pretty much this: If you want to talk about it all the time, without asking if I want to talk about it before the conversation starts, we might not be the best of friends in a couple years, if that is the only thing that is talked about.

I prefer to develop friendship with people that know to not continually talk about politics. I get enough of it from my family, don't want to have to deal with it from everyone. 😄

[Cory]

Seeing as I don't have many political views, I guess the answer to the question defaults to yes, I could be friends with someone with different political views. Some of my family love different presidents that we haven't particularly liked, but we still love them like the family they are.

[Jason]

I can be friends with people of different views in many cases.  However, some views are so obnoxious and/or revolting that I can't deal with it.  In fact, some people with those views will bully those who oppose them, so how is it even possible to "live and let live" with those types?

Edited November 24 by Jason