Dumping friends over politics or religion

[Edwardo Piet]

BTW everyone, I may be the forum turtle that everyone knows well but I'm actually a squirrel in real life.

Anyways, where was I? Yeah I've never dumped a friend for political or religious reasons. I have however had someone dump me because I wasn't right wing enough

I'll be anyone's friend as long as they're a good person. I can't remember ever giving up on a friend.

The important part is: Each to their own. We're all different.

[J a c k]

BTW everyone, I may be the forum turtle that everyone knows well but I'm actually a squirrel in real life.

Anyways, where was I? Yeah I've never dumped a friend for political or religious reasons. I have however had someone dump me because I wasn't right wing enough

I'll be anyone's friend as long as they're a good person. I can't remember ever giving up on a friend.

The important part is: Each to their own. We're all different.

The cutest squirrel out there, IMHO

[Edwardo Piet]

---

I'm also a puppy.

[CapnAwesome]

I already explained that I don't end all my friendships simply for having different ideas. I stand by what I've said. Again... if someone can justify racism or being a bully to feel better for voting for Trump, I'm done.

You are disqualifying a huge percentage of people just because of the way they voted. That is ending friendships for having different ideas. It's like saying "I don't unfriend someone for being a vegetarian, but I'll unfriend a vegan." Not only is it closed minded, but it is the least effective way of changing someone's mind. If you want to reach Trump voters and help them 'see the light' or whatever, the last thing you'd want to do is stop communicating with them.

It also makes me think maybe you don't have confidence in your own ideas, and don't even want to see or hear Trump voters. It's easy to characterize Trump voters however you want if you don't actually know any of them, and not knowing any of them is your own fault since you stopped being friends with all of them. How do you know anything you say about Trump voters is even true, if you've removed all of them from your life?? I think you are making a mistake.

[J a c k]

Wait. By unfriending people that try to justify racism or the mimicking of special needs, I'm making a mistake? I disagree. I would not enjoy sharing time with someone of such values, so why would I waste that time? Like I said over and over again, I don't unfriend people just for thinking differently, but I do have principles. I don't need to be friends with a racist or a bully to hear what they have to say. Some people take the whole concept of being open minded to a whole other level. Fuck being friends with someone who can address making fun of a person with cerebral palsy and think it's acceptable behavior. What part of that is irrational? Have you read the rest of the thread, or did you stop at the OP? If you read the rest and still think I'm making a mistake, then I'll agree to disagree. I don't waste friendships on bullies. I can't work around that.

[Jesster]

I would like to add that being friends with someone is not a requirement of conversing with them. How are people defining "friends" here?

I personally find friendship in people who find mutual enjoyment in shared company with me. If we're not enjoying that, why bother? I can still talk to them without enjoying it, though. They just aren't a friend at that point.

[abaris]

How are people defining "friends" here?

Someone to trust, someone I can call at 4 in the morning for help, someone to share my secrets. All on a mutual basis.

[Neo-Scholastic]

Wait. By unfriending people that try to justify racism or the mimicking of special needs, I'm making a mistake?

Or maybe you are misinterpreting the actions and statements of Mr. Trump and rushing to judgement. Or not. Either way if you feel that this country needs an open and honest discussion about race then it behooves you to actually have those discussions. And as i recall it was the last president who compared his bowling skills to the Special Olympics.

[ignoramus]

Abaris,, if a friend rang me at 4 in the morning, he will be promptly told to fuck off!

[Amarok]

Wait. By unfriending people that try to justify racism or the mimicking of special needs, I'm making a mistake?

Or maybe you are misinterpreting the actions and statements of Mr. Trump and rushing to judgement. Or not. Either way if you feel that this country needs an open and honest discussion about race then it behooves you to actually have those discussions. And as i recall it was the last president who compared his bowling skills to the Special Olympics.

1. nope he was mocking a disabled journalist for  calling out his misuse of an article  trump used to bash Muslims.  This has been beaten to death there is no rushing anything.

2. Talking to a racist about racism is like talking to a wall about math . It's pointless better to teach fence sitters then appeal to fanatics .

3. Obama apologized right away and it was sincerer  for his comment. Trump lied and denied as always till he couldn't do so anymore then gave a half baked acknowledgement that lack any real remorse