I used to go out with a jesus freak.
Do you think people are capable of being close friends with others with whom they fundamentally disagree on a major issue of life and/or whose views on a matter are on the opposite end of the spectrum?
Do birds of a feather always only flock together?
Or can people who fundamentally disagree on ____( <- fill in the number of issues) and still be friends so long as they agree on everything else?
I am just curious what all of you think.
I used to go out with a jesus freak.
angel lov you are hours upon hours of endless entertainment. i thank you for being so clueless.
Yes
No. It's best to ignore people of a different background than you.
People can be friends with anyone with whom they have no common beliefs (I mean political/religious beliefs) or interests, as long as there is mutual respect. Personal moral values complicate things a bit more, and sometimes there is no way around that (who wants to be friends with an unremorseful, admitted child rapist?). But I embrace the differences in my friends, it's very educational and interesting and I think it would be very boring to surround myself with cookie cutter copies of myself. It's all about the respect.
Last edited by mrsmaalox; 03-25-2010 at 03:21 PM.
I accept people for who they are and what their beliefs are. Of course they are different than mine. It would be pretty boring if these people weren't in my life.
I have several close friends that are way way more conservative than me (mostly from the days when I still went to church ... oh so long ago). Granted, we don't often discuss politics, which is good.
Last edited by Jekka; 03-25-2010 at 03:25 PM. Reason: spelling
Yes. Happens all the time.
Respect each others' views. When you don't let your egos or insecurities get in the way, you can respect those views.
Just try to avoid talking about those issues when together and it's fine. Except for maybe huge issues.
AL,
Do you have lots of single girlfriends? Are you still close to them?
Of course. I don't see how anyone could agree with his friends on every major issue out there.
Not only is it not possible, it isn't right.
I would think it's possible, but I would never be able to be close friends with someone that thinks that alcohol is the devil.
It depends on how willing people are to be tolerant and respectful.
To use an example, if you think that all people who like, say, the color green are completely wrong and this makes them bad or unworthy people, then it is unlikely you will be able to be friends with someone who likes green. You will either try to convert them to liking red, or you will be forever making up reasons why your friend really doesn't like green or why they aren't the same as people who like green.
But if you can respect that while you like red and that your beliefs that say people are green are only your beliefs, then it can work. Obviously we all draw on our own lines on much difference we are willing to tolerate. Few of us are ok with being friends with pedophiles, or mass murderers, for instance.
Of course. It's part of the path to enlightenment.
Typically I only like being friends with other democrat but fiscal conservative 1/2 Filipino, 1/4 German 1/4 Salvadorians who aren't necessarily Christians but believe in God. And if they don't drive Acura then all bets are definitely off.
I generally have a rule that if you're going to be my friend--you've got to be of the same race, creed, and financial background. Because let's face it...you don't want to be hanging around with losers outside of your own kind, right?
No, seriously...
I consider myself pretty much far on the proverbial "left" and I do consider a number of more "conservative" people my friends. I have a great mixture of friends who are of varying religious backgrounds and they're all great to be around with. If you're not capable of having a decent discussion about anything, then it really isn't necessary to bring that up.
Don't worry. Jeebus won't condemn you to eternal damnation for being friends with an atheist. Just don't try to play the conversion game. I'm sure you know that atheists take that as a threat and will immediately consume you mind, body and soul.
Life would be pretty boring if everyone around you agreed with you on everything.
I agree.
Two people do not have to believe in the same things to be friends- they only have to believe in each other.
In general, sure. Why not? Differences in people, no matter if it's sex, race, religion, color, sexual orientation, politics, other beliefs, height, weight, language, what have you, is what makes people interesting. I agree with people who have said life would be boring if everyone were the same and everyone agreed on things.
The one major exception is when those differences involve hateful, violent, and/or criminal action. For example, I cannot imagine myself being friends with a real racist (no matter what his/her actual race is). I also can't imagine being friends with someone who thinks it's cool and ok to look at child pornography. And I can't imagine being friends with hardcore drug addicts who let that addiction take over their lives. Things like that. If that's what the difference in something major life issues, then I would say no.
But if it's just a matter of political or religious differences, a stand on the war, national health issues, stuff like that... not a problem at all.
Last edited by JamStone; 03-25-2010 at 06:59 PM.
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