Does one's political stance ever influence how much you like the person?

[CJK]

Within the last few years, I have become much more aware of political issues and thus, the difference between conservative and liberal view points. I now find myself leaning very strongly towards one side of thinking. Here's my question. When you hear an opposing political view, does it ever affect your "liking" of that person? I'm not talking about political leaders. I'm just referring to your family, friends, acquaintances and what you think of them as people after hearing their viewpoints. I'd like to say, "no", it doesn't affect my view of the person, but I confess it has bothered me from time to time. I am trying to overcome this as I really believe in tolerance of difference! Anyone else?

 

[Gupsmom]

no, not really. If I know that a friend of mine has very different political opinions, I usually avoid talking about politics (even if it means biting my tongue). Politics and religion don't tend to make great chit chat conversation anyway. I'm fine with everybody having their own opinions/beliefs, and there really isn't any changing someone's view on these types of topics, so why argue about them with friends.

For what it's worth....I don't spend a lot of time talking about politics with friends that share my view either.

Jess

 

[CEDmom]

Originally posted by Gupsmom
no, not really. If I know that a friend of mine has very different political opinions, I usually avoid talking about politics (even if it means biting my tongue). Politics and religion don't tend to make great chit chat conversation anyway. I'm fine with everybody having their own opinions/beliefs, and there really isn't any changing someone's view on these types of topics, so why argue about them with friends.

For what it's worth....I don't spend a lot of time talking about politics with friends that share my view either.

Jess

ditto

 

[barbeml]

The media talking heads and the extremists with agendas (on all sides) would have us all beleive that you can narrowly label each of us one thing or the other. I have found that most people are as individual in their specific viewpoints as they are in their physical appearance.

I work in a semi-political environment. I refuse to allow anyone to label me and I try to evaluate others as individuals. There is enough division in this world already without buying into such political labels.

 

[flaps]

For me, it tells me something(s) about a person in an informational way, and clues me in a bit (or a lot) as to the chances of our seeing "eye-to-eye" about certain things. As far as I'm aware, though, it doesn't necessarily influence me beyond that, especially if we're talking friends and family.

For example, I highly doubt I'd agree with my grandma on much of anything political, but I still love her lots!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Usually no. I am a moderate conservative and I like everyone and respect other people's points of view.

HOWEVER, if people do not show me the same respect and tolerance , then I will probably not like them. Not because of what they think, but because of their inability to respect that not everyone thinks like them.

I find that fanatical people on BOTH sides of the political spectrum tend to have a hard time accepting moderates and the opposing side.

In my life, I have run into more fanatical liberals, but that is probably because I live in Boston. If I lived somewhere with a large population of fanatical right wingers, they'd drive me nuts too.

 

[UncleKyle]

NEVER. But I will have to say that IMHO conservatives are more tolerant of liberals views than liberals are of conservatives. I speak from just my experience in the political science department at my school. Some kids wouldn't speak to me and said they hated me and a few others just because we were conservative. I talked about it with the head of the dept (who is a former member of the black panther party, thinks clinton hung the moon, and we shouldn't have went to afganistan or iraq) and she said that she had noticed that as well. In her opinon more and more liberals wouldn't associate with conservatives but that conservatives were more open minded of their friends. She also added that it was the only thing that conservatives were open minded about.

 

[grinningghost]

Depends on how much that person is trying to jam their viewpoints down my throat. My best friend is very liberal, yet we've been friends forever and I'm sure always will be. Our friendship is based on so much more than our political views - it would be a shame to lose it over them.

 

[katerkat]

My sister is a Democrat, and I still like her. We don't agree on ANYTHING political. So we usually don't talk about it. However, if it's not my sister and the person tends to be extremist (like, their political views are the only thing that matters), I tend to avoid them.

 

[Hagred]

Originally posted by grinningghost
Depends on how much that person is trying to jam their viewpoints down my throat. My best friend is very liberal, yet we've been friends forever and I'm sure always will be. Our friendship is based on so much more than our political views - it would be a shame to lose it over them.

I agree. I'm conservative. My family is liberal. My friends are mixed. There's a difference between discussion and insistance. Most of the people I know and like know where that line is and don't cross it. On the rare occassions when they do, I typically remove myself from the situation.

 

[sunni]

It doesn't influence how much I like the person, only what topics I'll discuss with them.

 

[Winka]

Originally posted by UncleKyle
But I will have to say that IMHO conservatives are more tolerant of liberals views than liberals are of conservatives.

Well, maybe in your corner of the world.


I am always pleasantly surprised when I see political views expressed with grace and humor on these boards. As long as there is an open mind, a willing ear and, at the very least, civility-that's all I need (as far as an internet BB is concerned).

There is no way you can agree with every single poster on every single issue that comes up on these boards-social or political. I like to ally myself with nice, fun, open-minded and interesting people regardless of their political views.


I believe the FLUFF will unite us.

 

[emmagata]

I find that sometimes I'm more at odds with a liberal than a conservative. I believe that their liberal thinking carries over into the way they act outside of politics. Conversely, I suspect that the they might feel the same way about me.

I do know that I wouldn't want to be Ted Kennedy's friend (and CERTAINLY wouldn't let him drive me anywhere) regardless of how he is in private life.

 

[helenabear]

Nope, doesn't matter to me at all... I truly believe that if we all thought the same life would be very boring. I love hearing all opinions and I respect all. I will admit, that most don't know which "way I go" unless they ask me straight out.

I believe that their liberal thinking carries over into the way they act outside of politics. Conversely, I suspect that the they might feel the same way about me.

I am not sure I could agree with that statement... I have found it is truely individualistic when it comes to that

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Originally posted by UncleKyle
NEVER. But I will have to say that IMHO conservatives are more tolerant of liberals views than liberals are of conservatives. I speak from just my experience in the political science department at my school. Some kids wouldn't speak to me and said they hated me and a few others just because we were conservative. I talked about it with the head of the dept (who is a former member of the black panther party, thinks clinton hung the moon, and we shouldn't have went to afganistan or iraq) and she said that she had noticed that as well. In her opinon more and more liberals wouldn't associate with conservatives but that conservatives were more open minded of their friends. She also added that it was the only thing that conservatives were open minded about.

absolutely true (I am in education also).

I just won't associate with anyone who brings an agenda to every interaction & discussion

 

[Saffron]

I'm apt to be more influenced by a person's shoes more so than where they fall on the political yardstick!

 

[MosMom]

Many of my friends are staunch conservatives and we just avoid the topics. I really don't understand their view points and they don't understand mine so why go there?

 

[Keli]

Not usually unless they hold some views that in my opinion are radical and immoral. Then I think of them as radical and immoral, lol.
Also, I do not like to debate politics in general and if someone is always wanting to get some kind of debate with me going every time I see them I tend to avoid them whenever possible.

 

[Disney Doll]

I tend not to discuss religion or politics with friends. I tend not to discuss religion or politics in general, because they are such "hot button" issues. If someone who was an extremist in either direction (liberal or conservative) were to engage me in conversation and attempt to jam their views down my throat or belittle my views, I would remove myself from that situation immediately. I probably would avoid them in the future, because that type of behavior shows a lack of respect.

 

[EltonJohn]

Originally posted by CJK When you hear an opposing political view, does it ever affect your "liking" of that person? I'm not talking about political leaders. I'm just referring to your family, friends, acquaintances and what you think of them as people after hearing their viewpoints. I'd like to say, "no", it doesn't affect my view of the person, but I confess it has bothered me from time to time. I am trying to overcome this as I really believe in tolerance of difference! Anyone else?

Nope, unless they become a politician