Will you let politics get in the way of friendships?

[Alcon]

No, although I have to admit that I'd have trouble relating to someone who is extremely conservative on social issues.

Times are changing. Even social conservatives like Jake and Josh22 keep up with normal things, like college basketball and other things. Fundamentalists aren't amish.

I know that, but I like to share more with friends than college basketball.

I would have trouble relating to them because I see the world much differently. I do not find it right to enforce religious moral standpoints onto others. That's all.

[Akno21]

No, although I have to admit that I'd have trouble relating to someone who is extremely conservative on social issues.

Times are changing. Even social conservatives like Jake and Josh22 keep up with normal things, like college basketball and other things. Fundamentalists aren't amish.

I know that, but I like to share more with friends than college basketball.

I would have trouble relating to them because I see the world much differently. I do not find it right to enforce religious moral standpoints onto others. That's all.

I was only using college basketball because I have had conversations with both on the topic. I guess college basketball means less to those in your neck of the woods than in ACC country

I see your point, and it does effect who I'm friends with, though I'm not really around too many fundamentalist Christians, there might be 3 out of over 200 kids in my grade.

[Keystone Phil]

Side Note: Route 1 sucks.

I hate driving that thing.

carry on

Yeah. Roosevelt Boulevard sucks.

[Keystone Phil]

Side Note: Route 1 sucks.

I hate driving that thing.

carry on

I'll vouch for it sucking for several miles naa'th and south of Boston.

that run through your neck of the woods as well?

Unfortunately...

The artist formerly known as the king's highway runs through my neck of the woods (I think it was called that).

Yes, King's Highway. Right down the street from me. 

[Keystone Phil]

Side Note: Route 1 sucks.

I hate driving that thing.

carry on

I'll vouch for it sucking for several miles naa'th and south of Boston.

that run through your neck of the woods as well?

Unfortunately...

The artist formerly known as the king's highway runs through my neck of the woods (I think it was called that).

Yes, King's Highway. Right down the street from me. 

I forgot to add that it is now Frankford Avenue (Rt. 13)

[dazzleman]

I voted 3.

It depends on the situation, and the type of friendship.  There are certain friends that I debate politics with, and there are certain friends with whom I avoid the topic because we're too far apart and it becomes tiresome to argue.

I generally don't discuss politics with people I don't know well.  Believe it or not, there are some people who are too Republican for me, and I avoid political discussions with them.  I should clarify that - I think that they are either Republican for the wrong reason, or their views are shallow.  I'd rather have a friendly debate with somebody who disagrees with me to a degree than a discussion with somebody who ends up agreeing with me, but whose reasons I don't really respect.

[Democratic Hawk]

I'd argue my case tooth-and-nail if politics ever came into the discussion, but it wouldn't get in the way of friendship - we'd agree to differ!

Three golden rules when I'm on the pish: no politics, no religion and no monarchy - 'tis better to have heated debates when you're sober!

Dave

[angus]

a wise and considered philosophy that might have saved many a friendship, I think.

[Cashcow]

No, because I don't suck at life. That's the most eloquent way I can put it.

If you can't have friends who don't agree with you, you're a terrible person.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

I generally don't talk about anything political unless specifically asked, and even then I usually just agree with the person I'm with.  I'm not much of a debater and generally don't like getting into arguments.

You sound like Daschle.

[Nym90]

It depends on how well I know the person. The better I know them, the more willing I am to discuss politics. I enjoy debating, but I always try to ensure that it doesn't get personal.

I agree with the sentiment that if you can't be honest about your beliefs with someone, they must not be that good of a friend. Friends should respect each other's views even if they don't agree.

[Cashcow]

On an almost unrelated note, political arguments have actually been a positive aspect to some of my relationships. I argue with liberals and conservatives constantly - I'm an asshole all around.

[Gabu]

I generally don't talk about anything political unless specifically asked, and even then I usually just agree with the person I'm with.  I'm not much of a debater and generally don't like getting into arguments.

You sound like Daschle.

Hey, that hurts, man, right here.

[TheWildCard]

I have friends that are Democrats. I never really talk politics with them. I'd choose NOTA and say I would speak up and try to maintain the friendship. IF I wanted to pursuade them I'd would throw questions out there. Like "Yeah, but don't you think what Saddam was doing to his own people was brutal?"

[7,052,770]

Most of my friends here are Republicans, and sometimes we debate a bit (usually initiated by them), but never heatedly.  We just agree to disagree and move on.

[TeePee4Prez]

It depends on how well I know the person. The better I know them, the more willing I am to discuss politics. I enjoy debating, but I always try to ensure that it doesn't get personal.

I agree with the sentiment that if you can't be honest about your beliefs with someone, they must not be that good of a friend. Friends should respect each other's views even if they don't agree.

One of my best friends who is a Republican has asked me to avoid it generally.  Funny though when I was talking to him, there is a lot of common ground due to local issues.  We both would have voted Torsella had he won the Dem nomination, but I went Schwartz and he went Brown.  Only differences are I have a little more of an affinity for unions and I'm pro-choice (what I know so far).  He's also going to law school to be a DA, judge, or an FBI agent.