How do you feel about making friends with opposing or different beliefs?

[Sheando]

I think for me it's a difference between beliefs and values. For example, I could have a conservative friend and a liberal friend who agree that healthcare should be affordable and accessible, that no one human is more important than another human, and that it's tragic when someone doesn't receive the healthcare they need due to financial or systemic barriers, but they might completely disagree on how to solve the problem. One might think that more governmental intervention is needed to regulate inflated costs, and the other could believe that government intervention will drive costs up. I could be friends with both of those people, because their political beliefs differ, but the underlying value (inherent human worth) is there in both cases.

If someone were to say that they don't support healthcare access because some people deserve to suffer and then die due to preventable illnesses, then that's a huge conflict of values and no, I wouldn't trust them with friendship. Same with any other issue. If I think the core values of compassion, respect for human life, equality, etc. are in place, then I can seriously disagree with a person and still treasure that relationship. But many disagreements indicate a fundamental unwillingness to value some people as much as others.

Teaching and working with kids has been really hard for me in this way, actually. Really makes adults come out of the woodwork to talk to you about how much they hate kids and how children are subhuman and deserve violence. I can be friends with people who hold a wide range of beliefs about healthy bedtimes, screen access, homework, processed food consumption, or what age a kid should stay home alone. I can't be friends with someone who believes that violence toward children is a special category of violence that is normal and fine, or even beneficial.

 

[Dunny County]

If an adult came out of my woodwork and started saying children are subhuman and should be the recipients of violence, I too would choose not to pursue a meaningful relationship with the individual. Well said.

 

[Goldi Locks]

I would consider someone able to crawl out of woodwork and doing so whilst whilst saying children desrve violence to be some sort of witch.

 

[mewp0ka]

that's a good question. personally, i don't care as long as u don't push them on me and respect my beliefs. i'm not political, so that part doesn't apply to me. however, i don't go around trying to change the views of my friends, so i hope that they can do the same.

at the end of the day, i befriend the person because we get along really well or we have similar interests. who u are and what ur political stance is something i genuinely do not care about.

 

[Suguri]

I believe it depends on the person and the belief itself. If they respect my views, I'll respect theirs in return. If their views make me uncomfortable around them or they try to force me to agree with them, I'd have to cut ties for the sake of my mental health.

It's really complex and personal, so I'm not ready to go into detail, and to be frank I can barely put the right words together sometimes.

 

[Rosch]

As long as we respect each other's opinions and beliefs, we can be friends. Although I do get uncomfortable when they start forcing their views on you. I just listen with one ear, then let it out on the other.

If they start arguing with me because I disagree with their sentiment, then it's time to slowly move away.

 

[SkyKnight03]

I had a budding friendship. Then she began expressing prejudice beliefs and I called her out.

I explained "Your making an assumption about an entire group of people being bad. I have literally done nothing to you".

She apologized but ended the friendship.

 

[QueenCobra]

Another thought— I can NOT see myself getting along with anyone (liberal or conservative) who hates animals. What I mean, is, someone who sees a cute cat and tells me it’s gross, sees nothing wrong with animals being in circuses, or thinks pets aren’t really family, or— worst of all —that animals don’t have souls. (Yes, some people actually believe this. I stopped listening to a Christian radio talk show for saying that.)

I understand being wary around certain animals, but being hateful towards them is strange to me.