Weird Question Sunday – Friendship

 

I never discuss politics. even though I’m very interested in the process and fascinated with the emotions on both sides. 

Consequently, I’m always taken aback when someone I respect, admire, or simply like, espouses a view that is the antithesis of what I believe.  I’m faced with being annoyed, re-evaluating that person, or putting my respect/admiration/affection up against my values.  I would prefer that the person just keep quiet on that aspect of his life, which leads me to my weird question today.   

Can you truly be friends with someone when he is so different from you politically?  Or, ignore politics, and put it another way - can you be a friend to someone whose values may be so divergent from yours?  Or, can you be a friend to someone while ignoring that part of his life?  

Is friendship another word for acceptance?  And if you can’t accept a friend’s views, are you truly friends?