OT: Does knowing someone's political standing change your view on them?

Dogsinotpalc said:
Religion never directly factors in. I'm not particularly religious, but I generally respect any individual's faith...until it starts clouding their view of the rights of others to think, feel, speak, and believe as they wish.
Click to expand...

I’m generally mellow about religion with people who can exercise their beliefs without being a dick. But over the years I’ve learned to be wary of people whose religion trains them to always look for openings in conversation that might lead to a conversion. At first I noticed friends who were raised in such religions oft speak in a stilted and deliberate manner because they examine everything that they hear and say. Then I noticed Mormon friends occasionally redirect conversation so as to invite me to church. That’s when I realized I should not assume sincerity when conversing with those who live to proselytize.
 
It depends on how far apart our views are, how outspoken they are in their views, and how willfully ignorant they are in regards to blindly towing the party line despite all logic and common sense. It also depends on their ability or willingness to engage in a conversation objectively rather than simply waiting their turn to tell you how wrong you are. I am an exceptionally tolerant person to point (really, I swear) and can be friendly with just about anyone, but I don't have room in my life for the type of people who can't be arsed to educate themselves but would spend countless hours defending a position they don't fully understand, because it's what #! $^&*^/#!#/^/#!##/^/ news or some contrarian ratings whore radio host told them. And at the risk of tipping my hand, I simply can't abide bigotry. People are free to feel and believe what they want, but if I see in my social media feed, you're gone. No discussion, no apologies, just "poof" and you disappear for good. Doesn't matter if we've been friends IRL for decades, saionara.
 
OGG said:
And at the risk of tipping my hand, I simply can't abide bigotry. People are free to feel and believe what they want, but if I see in my social media feed, you're gone. No discussion, no apologies, just "poof" and you disappear for good. Doesn't matter if we've been friends IRL for decades, saionara.
Click to expand...

The bigotry coming up in contemporary American politics gets pretty nasty. I no longer follow my sister on Facebook because she has a gang of friends who are always looking for an excuse to parrot the latest ugly talking points. But I’ve also learned to let some little things slip by. I picked up that habit because I know a lot of Europeans leftists and a lot of New York Jews, and every time shit flares up in Palestine/Israel they get ugly on social media.
 
IamSeaDevil said:
This is it exactly, it takes all sorts. Me and my wife had Christian wedding last year and we had vegans, straight edge, drunks, fucks, bible thumpers, bush bumpers, pagans, muslims, catholics , transgender, bipolar, satanists, polygamists, Beatles people, Elvis people, pro-choice, pro-life, pro-death, a banjo player, gun nuts, closet cases glitter sneezers, Right wing nuts , left wing nuts, coco butts, straights, menthol and unfiltered types and it was glorious.
You know, you were there
Click to expand...
No Jews, eh? I'm telling the ADL on you!!

jp_nyc said:
I know a lot of Europeans leftists and a lot of New York Jews, and every time shit flares up in Palestine/Israel they get ugly on social media.
Click to expand...
too true :\


Generally, I guess every piece of information about someone affects my view on them.

Regarding acquaintances - as long as they are not preachy, douchey or unable to talk about anything else I guess I'm OK.

Regarding artists - well... art isn't a purely rational thing but rather an emotional one. If I listen to a song and all I can hear is echoes of rectal statements the song's performer\s made then I can't relate to or like that song. If it's a song I know and love for some time than the rectal statements probably wouldn't echo as much. It also depends on how rectal those statements are, I guess.

I really enjoy Rush's 2112 even though it's dedicated "to the genius of Ayn Rand", and I enjoy the 2 Deicide albums I have despite the "go suck dick at the western wall" incident.
 
well, to address the OP, if i were to "hear" that, in the op instance, a baker refused to bake a cake for a gay couple, then yes, i will never shop there again. i will not support their bigotry. and the same goes for just about anyone else. i would never watch a game that john rocker was pitching in.

i don't ask people what their politics are, and if you keep it to yourself, then it's likely we won't have a problem. but if i find out they acted in a discriminatory way towards someone, they're done with me.

so yea, if their "politics" are hateful, disciminatory, biggoted, etc. then i'll have nothing to do with them.
 
There are a lot of hateful ideas that are considered to be "political positions" now, and I don't hold people with those ideas in high regard.

For the most part, if you feel the need to tell me about your political views while I'm still forming an opinion on you, then I'm going to like you less, even if I agree with you note for note. I have friends with whom I disagree on most political issues, and we don't talk about it, but we're still friends.

If you're a business that would use my money to sway politics in a way that hurts me or mine, then I'm going to give you as little of my money as possible. If I'm choosing between two bakers, and one of them thinks cakes are a place to plant your "political" flag, I'm going to the other one.
 
Of course it does. It's another aspect of who they are, so how could it not alter your view of them? It's more a matter of how much it will alter your view of them, based on who they are, your relationship, and the relevant topics.
 
I am not bothered by what people believe. I am bothered by how they express their beliefs and act on them. I had a friend at a former job who was on the exact opposite end from me on most issues. We got along well, as he could express and share his views in a respectful manner and could listen to opposing views without condemnation. He was a shining example of a person whose values include respect.

I hate that so much "political discussion" consists of name-calling and demonizing. This is not the way to move society forward.
 
Gary Blanchard said:
I am not bothered by what people believe. I am bothered by how they express their beliefs and act on them. I had a friend at a former job who was on the exact opposite end from me on most issues. We got along well, as he could express and share his views in a respectful manner and could listen to opposing views without condemnation. He was a shining example of a person whose values include respect.

I hate that so much "political discussion" consists of name-calling and demonizing. This is not the way to move society forward.
Click to expand...

^^This is it for me, as well.

I actually like talking to people with different ideas. I think what I think, and believe what I believe, because I have seen things from a particular point of view. I haven't seen the whole world, and I am not a big city guy. For a long time, I lived in the suburbs of Los Angeles, and now I live in more rural areas of Tennessee.

I have friends that have quite different ideas than I do, and I like talking to them because I get to see the world through their eyes. After all, I don't claim to be the keeper of all truth. Does it change my thinking? Some times, and some times not. We're both ok with that. I do have a friend that is determined that her beliefs are the "correct" beliefs, and where mine differ, she doesn't do much to hide her contempt, but she's still young, and an idealist. When she is in a more prickly mood, I do tend to hold her at an arms length, but all in all, she's still a friend.

I don't spend a lot of time getting angry. To me, it serves little purpose, because I don't think clearly in that state of mind, although that state of mind does pop up every now and then.
 
i live in the deep south and my political and religious beliefs are quite different than most folks ,so I try to keep these to myself as it will often change people s views on me.

As for me if I like you its because of the person you are and not what you believe
 
  • Like
Reactions: OGG
In the beginning there was only one person and all was good. Then a second person came along and conflict was invented. When a third person arrived on the scene the odd man out became a minority and the three argued about that until finally a fourth person showed up and immediately announced his intention to be President. Then they all wandered into the jungle and found four bananas. The President took three of them for himself and called it a tax. For some strange reason they all decided that would be OK and we've been screwed since then so who cares. Fuck em all and forget about differences in political beliefs. The important thing is to guard you bananas.
 
Last edited:
I wish that everyone (and especially businesses) were honest about their politics, so that I'd know who to boycott.

But I find it ridiculous that people complain about musicians/actors/writers/etc. being frank about their beliefs. That's kind of like, part of their job.
 
Mark Wein said:
No. It's how they behave around me that matters. I could care less about someones politics if they are a decent person.
Click to expand...

Pretty much this, although how the person behaves around others besides me matters too. I have been at various points along the political spectrum at different parts of my life. Though never directly along party lines. I believe in allowing others the same opportunity, as long as they treat folks with respect and are decent. It is the folks that are completely closed minded and that treat others that disagree with them poorly, on any part of the political spectrum, that bother me. Unfortunately, these days with internet memes and etc., that means a lot of people end up violating that rule at least a little bit. I sure hope at some point we can do better.

EDIT: after reading some other responses, I have to admit that to answer the question completely honestly, I will say yes, it does color my perception of the person. But that does not mean I automatically write that person off or judge them either. More like a Spock raised eyebrow "fascinating", as I take in the data that I just heard.
 
I have friends that are on the polar opposite side of the political spectrum from me. I view their (incorrect and misinformed) opinions with respect and as long as they do the same for me, it's all good.
 
I can't imagine how one's beliefs can be different from the person they are - don't we all live out our values? (which is to say, it's what you do, not what you say that matters)

Like Bubkus, of course someone's beliefs impact my opinion of them. I care deeply about things, and if I think an artist supports something I find wrong, I enjoy their music less. I think that's appropriate - your music should come from a deep place.

Agreeing to disagree is a dying art - and I don't insist that my friends agree with me (and I think that's unhealthy). But the Nugent example is a great one - I couldn't imagine permitting myself to hear him at this point. OTOH, I'll listen to Merle Haggard, and I sure don't care for his politics. I like the songs less for them, but can still appreciate them in other ways.
 
This is, unfortunately, an "it depends" question. A person's beliefs will be a limiting factor if we meet, say, at the barricades. Often, I find out that a person has opposing views after I find I like them. At that point, I either know where not to go when we talk and/or find a mutually agreed way to leave the topic. If I meet someone on the barricades, becoming friends is very unlikely. Where I am already in a friendship, I try to be transparent and non defensive in presenting my views and answering questions. Its a fantastic learning experience. I don't want to keep getting smaller and more closed.
 
Usually I would say no. El Diabless has been receiving many emails from her recently new Baptist faith mother (her mother changed faiths) about Planned Parenthood. Needless to say they are extreme in nature.
We don't have time for this crap. It wasn't a problem a year ago .Stop sending 15 emails a day. Guess we'll block her emails.
 
el diablo said:
Usually I would say no. El Diabless has been receiving many emails from her recently new Baptist faith mother (her mother changed faiths) about Planned Parenthood. Needless to say they are extreme in nature.
We don't have time for this crap. It wasn't a problem a year ago .Stop sending 15 emails a day. Guess we'll block her emails.
Click to expand...

I've told people that every time I see/hear them express that particular sentiment, I will make a donation and send them a photo of the receipt. It seems to work, one way or another.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top