Can you still be friends despite political differences?

Queen’s University Journal ^ | 2024 | Eva Sheahan, Meghrig Milkon

[rktman]

Yes, we the non inclusive folks.

[Billthedrill]

Generally speaking the answer is yes, with a few important qualifications. First, both partners have to recognize that speaking about politics will sour the relationship and both are willing to forgo that activity; second, both partners must have something in common more important to them than politics. That last is the killer, because for real political zealots there is nothing more important than politics, it's their entire existence. One sees this far more on the Left than on the Right these days but not exclusively.

I had a friend who worked in a wine shop near my place, a genial guy who denied it but for all practical purposes was an outright Communist. He'd spend the day listening to Air America, which he would immediately turn down or off when I entered the store. That little courtesy was all it took to maintain the relationship. And we had lots else to talk about anyway. So yeah, a friendship can work across the political spectrum if both partners are willing to work on it. If not, no chance.

[combat_boots]

Similar experience

[No name given]

You shouldn’t be.

[kawhill]

I don’t know. Do some humanoids have this:
“primordial instinct to kill” refers to the idea that tapped into a basic, almost animalistic urge to kill without hesitation or moral consideration, essentially unleashing a raw, primal instinct to destroy without feeling or judgment. It is judgement that defeats us, right?

[fr_freak]

Not when the other side wants you silenced or dead.

This is the key here. Only the Right debates whether people on opposing political sides can be friends. The Left is busy telling their adherents to hate, attack, and even kill anyone who stands in the way of their politics. While not every leftist takes it that far, you simply can't trust someone who eats up that kind of propaganda daily.

Some leftists might be capable of holding on to some semblance of rationality and morality under normal circumstances, but, as the COVID debacle demonstrated, the moment they are under stress and sense they have power, they are more than happy to openly wish destitution, death and the gulag on people who disagree with them.

[Sarcazmo]

That’s beautiful Ansel, it brings a tear to my eye, like that Indian chief in the commercial.

What if they want you killed, or support those that want you killed or enslaved? How can you be friends with that?

[AAABEST]

Supporting Marxism, child mutation, killing our offspring, penises in girls’ lockerrooms/sports, green new deal, open norders etc. is not “political differences.”

These are, quit literally, satanic ideals. I cannot relate to, respect or associate with such people.

[chajin]

I can, they can’t. Lost a number of decade(s)-long friends after 11/6. The issue is never friendship, the issue is always the revolution.

[monkeyshine]

I have lots of friends with different politics. Friendship isn’t about how you vote. I think there are certain elements in society that want to keep people divided in as many ways as possible. Money, race, religion, gender, and now politics too. It’s sickening to me the way some people emphasize the wrong things in life.

[dkGba]

I’ve been patient and tolerant. It takes care of itself really. As soon as you express opinion or ask a question they don’t like? Never hear from them again

[Qwapisking]

if it wasn’t for the R all your friends would be fiends. that and talking politics.

[ansel12]

“””””Love requires trust.
Can you trust a liberal? I guess you can’t help but love liberal family members. But you can’t trust them.”””””

It depends on who you mean, is it someone you know and trust, a friend? or is it just an imaginary generic liberal we are talking about and don’t know?

If you mean lover, one of my most high quality and best girlfriends ever was her college’s NOW President when we first started up.

[Jamestown1630]

I think it depends on how ‘radical’ each is; and how egotistical.

One of my best friends in the world was a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, and very Liberal about many things (of course, she didn’t live to see the extremes of the last 8 years or so). We disagreed on much, but never really argued, and it never got in the way of our mutual friendship and respect.

I’ve actually never had an unpleasant encounter with anyone over politics; but there are many people I wouldn’t make friends with, or even bother discussing politics with; and many I’d keep at some arm’s length.

[dkGba]

Same here

[ansel12]

“”””What if they want you killed, or support those that want you killed or enslaved? How can you be friends with that?””””

Are you really drunk or just really childish.

[Hodar]

We just want to live our lives. We want to pay our way, work hard, live in a law abiding land, and make our choices

The opposition demands we have over our children, take vaccines and accept lawlessness. They demand to tell us what we can read, say and think. They demand we pay taxes that they can freely distribute those taxes to themselves and foreign nations that aren’t even an ally

I don’t need a person who supports my family being suppressed. Life is short, nobody knows how much time we have left. I chose not to waste my limited time on people who don’t respect me

[usconservative]

Those of us who voted for Donald Trump all were.

You damn' right.

At first, "those people" thought they were smarter than everyone. How embarassed AND bitter they are now, LOL!!

No recovering from that as far as I'm concerned. And I really don't care. Hope they all get the hell on earth they deserve.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

CONSERVATIVE: “I don’t agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

PROGRESSIVE: “I don’t agree with what you say, and I want you put to social and financial death if you continue to say it.”

[calljack]

I got one of those.