Can you be friends with people you don't agree with politically?

Question

I have several friends on here and several IRL that I don't agree with politically and that don't agree with me, but nonethe less I consider to them to be good people and good friends. How about you?

Lliam · Accepted Answer

Yes. I have friends from all walks of life.

I have 60's, 70s liberal values. I used to think that liberal was about things like peace, love, tolerance, open mindedness, fairness, justice, liberty, freedom, distrust of authority, and opposition to war and aggression. Does that sound anything like modern "liberalism"?

I was never a conservative or a Republican.

I voted Democrat for years. But when the party fully committed itself to neoliberalism during the 90s, I started questioning.

By the mid 2010s, I had gained a lot more education about how things work. I began researching, reasoning and thinking for myself. But at the same time, I was a member of a liberal, non-denominational, Unitarian Universalist congregation and Board President of a local environmental non-profit, so I had LOTS of liberal friends. I was looked up to.

I lost a few of them by expressing pro-second amendment views on-line. But when the 2016 election came along, liberals lost their minds. They became pro-Democrat fanatics. I realized that they consumed corporate media exclusively and had no clue about reality. Everything else to them was conspiracy theory.

Nevertheless, we remained friends. Although people who had known me for years started thinking that I had suddenly turned Republican just because I had views on some issues that contrasted with liberal corporate media. From their tiny world view, they assumed that I was getting my information from "right-wing" sources when in reality, I was being turned on to reliable information by very bright and informed progressive sources on-line.

Then the covid scam came along. My remaining "liberal" friends swallowed it hook, line and sinker. My wife and I were abandoned by "liberal" people who we thought were best friends because we refused to mask and get the jab. They called us anti-vaxers and treated us like tin foil hat-wearing, grandma killers.

BUT, while the majority of liberals became hostile to anyone who questioned the official narrative on any issue, I am still friends with a few.
I also found that a lot of my conservative friends pretty much shared my values except when it comes to economic and international policy. Conservatives and I can agree to disagree.
And the good news is, my wife and I connected with a bunch of very bright, informed people who have freed themselves from ideology, partisan politics, and manufactured consensus.

So I can be friends with people with whom I have political disagreements. I don't try to shove my opinions down anyone's throat. I don't even imagine that I know everything. I learn by listening other points of view.
It just so happens that most liberals these days are obsessed with winning some kind of ideological war and consider anyone who isn't with them to be against them. That's because they are mirroring the attitude of the divisive, power hungry Democratic party and globalists who control the media.

HighValue · Accepted Answer

No. I don't want to be friends with people that hate me, support racism and frequent discrimination against me, that hate my religion, and that hate my country.

Yes, I am a straight White Christian man so obviously liberals/Democrats are the enemy since they hate my existence and frequently make things worse for people like me. I used to live in California so I experienced plenty of the liberal bs.

Potteplante · Accepted Answer

My friends are all over the political spectrum, though I mostly socialise with people within the welfare system and therefore most of my friends on my side of the spectrum politically (I still disagree with some of them if not most on some matters) and I do have friends all over the spectrum. (We've 13+ parties to choose from). Political affiliation doesn't determine if someone is good or not.

I will say, I do stay away from right wing nationalists - can't be friends with people who might want me and/or my siblings out of the country.

Mamaliv · Accepted Answer

Most of my friends and family don’t agree on politics, you simply avoid conversations that will create a wedge unless both sides can be mature and respectful enough to hear each side. Can’t expect everyone to be on the same page as not every mind is created to see things equally, but it is also important to be able to see the others point of view with out reacting.

xKayTea · Answer

It depends,

Do they constantly speak about their political views? Then no.

Are they immature and judge you for having a different view or not being interested? Then no.

Are they obsessed with their political views to the point of hatred? Then no.

Are they able to be neutral and realise some people don't want politics in their friendship? Then yes.

lightbulb27 · Answer

Yes I have one and others I talk to. But it's not easy not pleasant to talk politics and can create tension quickly. I got to the point I avoid such topics generally.

musicbrain5 · Answer

Of course. There are even members of my family who have different views than I do. I manage to get along with most people, and I typically avoid heavier topics like politics and religion in general.

Apple1996 · Answer

Yeah I don't even have political beliefs so that's never been a issue

slatyb · Answer

That depends on their beliefs. If they support Trump and DeSantis, then no. Trump wants to be dictator and openly talks about suspension the Constitution.

richardcory · Answer

I can and do. Pretty necessary since I disagree with almost everyone politically

FinalFantasyBro · Answer

I couldn't care less how others think just don't attack me and I don't attack you and we both be cool.

Blueeyes81 · Answer

Yeah. I live in a sea of red. I just don't share my political views and let them rant on about theirs. Growing up in small town Midwest you just learn if you have liberal views to keep them to yourself and all is good.

AviatorTom · Answer

Of course you can be friends, just don't make politics a main source of discussion between you two, and if/when you do, remember to not take things personally.

goaded · Answer

I can disagree on details, but disagreeing on the basics (democracy good), no.

OfMiceandMen · Answer

Sure, I am not one for politics as your choices are quite often limited to choosing one conniving a-hole over another, so I would never let that get in the way of what could be a good friendship.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

Yes, I try to be, but they seem if I'm not a Democrat or Republican they say fuck you *excuse my language* So I can't win them all. But people will be people.

Sabretooth · Answer

I'm not political--but, I can't abide one side not living in reality--maybe that's a byproduct of my childhood where I was constantly being bashed for being fixated on fantasy... As most kids are...

RealMarek · Answer

Yes, I can. I even have friends and family who believe everything that the mainstream media says. Some of them know of my opinions and others don’t. I don’t seek to win debates with them.

ArrowheadSW · Answer

Yes I can be friends with people who I don't agree with politically. Unless it is to the extreme and that is all they talk about. LOL

DermalPunch · Answer

Sure. Politics doesn't matter anyway.

exitseven · Answer

Yes IC can. the problem is that most liberals cannot defend their position and will resort to base insults.

Iron_Man · Answer

Yes you can look at Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver total opposites they got married

FunkyMonkee · Answer

I can (and am) as long as they don't get militant about it on me or can't stop talking about it.

Nikki1989 · Answer

Yes, as long as they don't force their opinions on me.

OddBeMe · Answer

I’m more friends with those with opposing political beliefs.

GodsPinkyToe · Answer

No. I can't be friends with deluded leftists who hate me and want me disarmed and enslaved.

Pinay_ako · Answer

Yes ofc. Respect me I’ll respect you.

RyanK9b · Answer

Not with the left. According to a recent study. They are the least tolerant people and can't deal with other views

LiamJHayden · Answer

Yes. Most people are far more complex than their politics.

Staximus · Answer

I have good friends who I don't agree with politically at all

ChiTown33 · Answer

Absolutely! It all comes down to respect.

ProbablyClueless · Answer

I'd like to think I can

SnowedIn · Answer

I can, yes.

gothbxtch · Answer

yeah to a degree

ShesRad80 · Answer

yes.

Lokiion · Answer

Yeah

Can you be friends with people you don't agree with politically?

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Can you be friends with people you don't agree with politically?

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