Is It Possible To Like Someone Whose Views You Despise?

[Revoltingest]

The title asks it all.
I've many friends who believe & advocate for things I find absolutely atrocious.
(Being an extremist, it's easy for me to find political & economic enmity.)
I'll avoid hating them if they're smart, civil, friendly, & want similar results though.
But I do despise people who are just plain mean.

Don't tell me who you hate (especially if it's me), but
other than that, feel free to explain, rant or ruminate.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Love, yes - like, no. Family is family.

 

[Mindmaster]

The title asks it all.
I've many friends who believe & advocate for things I find absolutely atrocious.
(Being an extremist, it's easy for me to find political & economic enmity.)
I'll avoid hating them if they're smart, civil, friendly, & want similar results though.
But I do despise people who are just plain mean.

Don't tell me who you hate (especially if it's me), but
other than that, feel free to explain, rant or ruminate.

Ultimately, the more extreme someone's views are the more unrealistic they are. That's to say, they have no actual measurable affect on anything. Some people believe there is an imaginary Santa Claus-like being who gives you presents when you die, but I don't. We can be friends, as long as you don't expect me to participate in what I see as your error. Of course, the problem will be that they won't be able to deal with that.

As for people that I disagree with on politics, or anything else I simply look at people in evolutionary stages -- I tend to think the way I do because of my life experiences, many of which they probably haven't had. That's fine... I just view them like children, in a sense, I guess. At least, it keeps me from wanting to go on a rampage or something.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Not for me, no.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

I tend to be a judge behavior, not belief kind of person, but I'd have trouble forming meaningful bonds with someone who believes I deserve to die or be in hell or something along those lines. I try to set an example by keeping my temper (with varied success) and answer questions about my belief, ive even done quite a bit of volunteer work at and with churches. But deep personal relationship? Not yet anyway.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

My criteria for friends usually has little to do with specific views - although, certain views I find objectionable seem to often go along with certain personality traits that I wouldn't have in a friend anyway.

 

[Rival]

Yes.

 

[oldbadger]

The title asks it all.

Don't tell me who you hate (especially if it's me), but
other than that, feel free to explain, rant or ruminate.

I don't think that we share too many political, religious or life opinions, Revolting, but I'd give you a cuddle if you needed one.

 

[oldbadger]

Love, yes - like, no. Family is family.

So you wouldn't hold hands with me in the cinema then? Shucks!

Actually, Jesus put loyal friends before disloyal family, and I think that I do as well.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Actually, Jesus put loyal friends before disloyal family, and I think that I do as well.

Same. I've disowned pretty much my entire family and they've done the same with me. Oh, well. Have to make your own family sometimes. Blood isn't really thicker than water, I've learned.

 

[metis]

A good friend of ours frequently asks my wife and I if there is anything that we ever agree on, and we've been married for 50 years. And only once over all that time did we ever go to bed angry, and the next morning we laughed because the disagreement was so stupid to begin with.

My point is there are many people whom we can have strong disagreements with and yet still respect them-- and even love them.

BTW, I don't hate anyone, but there are some people that I prefer to keep my distance from because the worst in me can come out-- and there's been many an occasion that it has.

 

[Politesse]

Sure, why not? I don't like everyone whom I disagree with of course, but I admire people who have thought through their views and can engage in reasonable dialogue about them regardless of their conclusions. There are some exceptions; people who are trying to hurt me personally set off my fight-or-flight, for obvious reasons. But I like to think myself capable of maintaining friendships with people of many different views.

 

[Stevicus]

Is It Possible To Like Someone Whose Views You Despise?

Yes, if I know them in real life. If I only know them over the internet, then probably not.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Family are not necessarily people you would make friends with.
You choose your friends
Family come as a package.

I see no reason to be friends with people who's views I do no share, or at least have some sympathy with.

 

[Rival]

There is all of one person on RF who is pretty much in the same political camp as I am.

Should I not be friends with the other hundreds who share not my views?

 

[bobhikes]

The title asks it all.
I've many friends who believe & advocate for things I find absolutely atrocious.
(Being an extremist, it's easy for me to find political & economic enmity.)
I'll avoid hating them if they're smart, civil, friendly, & want similar results though.
But I do despise people who are just plain mean.

Don't tell me who you hate (especially if it's me), but
other than that, feel free to explain, rant or ruminate.

Yes but you have to find one thing about them you like. I separate people into multiple categories. When they say or do something stupid I refer to the categories I like.

 

[David T]

Absolutely!!! I have a conservative friend that is so far out there I expect he believes that illegal aliens are coming in from foreign countries and outer space. I play with him at times with such comments "i saw the men In black documentary illegal aliens are very real and dangerous. " he laughes at least.

 

[columbus]

Don't tell me who you hate (especially if it's me), but
other than that, feel free to explain, rant or ruminate.

I generally like people I disagree with more than people I don't know what to talk to about. If we already agree then there's no reason to talk, so shut up already. But you can't build much of a friendship on "shut up already ".

You are one of the reasons I haven't deleted this pop-up ad fest from my bookmark list. It certainly isn't because we agree much. I find you willfully ignorant on almost every subject worth discussing. Especially bacon.

But you and I get along better than people smart enough to agree with me most of the time.
Tom

 

[Guy Threepwood]

The title asks it all.
I've many friends who believe & advocate for things I find absolutely atrocious.
(Being an extremist, it's easy for me to find political & economic enmity.)
I'll avoid hating them if they're smart, civil, friendly, & want similar results though.
But I do despise people who are just plain mean.

Don't tell me who you hate (especially if it's me), but
other than that, feel free to explain, rant or ruminate.

I would have hated a guy like me 30 years ago, so it helps if you have changed your mind on a few things!

I don't think any belief is really 'stupid' anymore , thinking so usually just means you can't follow their own personal understanding yet

Unless the belief is 'well what do the experts say, I guess they must be right'

 

[Rival]

I generally like people I disagree with more than people I don't know what to talk to about. If we already agree then there's no reason to talk, so shut up already. But you can't build much of a friendship on "shut up already ".

You are one of the reasons I haven't deleted this pop-up ad fest from my bookmark list. It certainly isn't because we agree much. I find you willfully ignorant on almost every subject worth discussing. Especially bacon.

But you and I get along better than people smart enough to agree with me most of the time.
Tom

You agree 100% more with Revolt than I do.