How tolerant are you towards people who have differing opinions?

Question

I like to think of myself as usually being pretty tolerant towards others opinions, but I (like everyone) have flaws. I can normally understand both sides of an issue and realize the merit behind why a person feels a certain way.

But I know there are some people who don't act the same. Pro-lifers, for example, might view pro-choicers as being murderers, whereas pro-choicers view pro-lifers as being nazis - or some other nonesense. That's the reality of who we are - we tend to vilify those that we disagree with.

I was wondering, do you tend to be tolerant or understanding towards others who have different views than you? Do you have many friends who have differed beliefs?

Answer 1

"If they don't agree, they can get the hell out of my country."


-Dick Cheney

PS-Actual Quote

Answer 2

I guess I am not very tolerant. When I commit to a "belief" i tend to feel very strongly about it (as do we all, I am sure) and usually the issue is so clear to me I have a hard time comprehending why ANYONE would feel differently. For example, I think that abortion should be strictly regulated, and that they should only happen when the mother's life or health is in jeopardy, or in cases of incest. That's it. I think anyone who gets pregnant has an obligation to that child-to-be. Even a child of rape is still a child. There are so many people out there desperate for a child that I think nine months' sacrifice is not such a big deal. I mean, for a life???
And I cannot understand why people would want to have abortions become the next birth control method, or why people would want to ban safe abortions for those who really need one.
So that is something I will work on...being more tolerant. Thank you sincerely for the reminder...it is easy to get self-righteous...kinda sneaks up on you, lol!

Answer 3

I'm very understanding and tolerant towards others views. However if they are looking to convert me, than there's going to be an issue with that.

Besides all one has to do to see how understanding and tolerant one is of anothers views or opinions throughout this forum, and see the truth. Check the thumbs up and thumbs down ratings and that alone clearly should tell you as the asker just how many disagree with others answers. And it's that way in every question and answer categories on this site.

Answer 4

I tend to be pretty tolerant, if the person's opinions are backed up by reason and fact. My husband is an agnostic slightly socially liberal Republican. I am a Christian, socially conservative, and fiscally just to the left. I am split right down the middle between Democrat and Republican. His mother is a slightly liberal Democrat. One of our best friends is Wiccan. So yes, I know many people of different opinions than my own. There are just certain things we don't talk about, though I can't resist debating with some of them.

Answer 5

When their views are not destructive to my country I am open to listening. When they are just plain wrong I can't tolerate that.
That right and wrong exist is something you overlook. All ideas are not equal.

Many people I know have different views than I do. I will try to see their side of a situation but often we just don't agree.

Answer 6

I am VERY tolerant of others opinion's so long as they meet a couple of requirements...first they MUST know WHY they believe what they do....and second they must extend the same toleration to me that I extend to them......

I am pro- life and my best friend is pro-choice....we get along wonderfully and completely respect the others opinion even though we think each other wrong....

Answer 7

I believe it was Voltaire that said "I may not like what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." I agree 100%. Freedom is a two way street and its not just for the thought that we like. Unfortunately, no one understands this today.

Its all "global warming (Holocaust) deniers, nazi, Hitler etc. etc. etc." And this is from people who have no idea what the terms they throw around really mean. Its sad.

If those opinions are expressed with arrogance or sick in nature, though, (such as someone who thinks we should have the right to shove a drill bit in a baby's head) that's where I draw the line.

Answer 8

Very, as some of my best conversations come with people who feel differently than I do on issues. Also I think as a parnet who raised 7 kids, you learn tolerance quickly

Answer 9

Depends on the issue. If it's something I am passionate about, for example: getting rid of ALL illegal immigrants and securing our borders, then no; nothing they say can change my stance on that issue. For other issues that are less important to me, then I can be tolerant. I'll still argue my views but still respect theirs.

Answer 10

It's hard, but I try; also, I do it without resorting to crude insults. I'm more likely to attack your argument than you as a person.

This is what amazes me: I can profess and explain another persons p.o.v. (even if it's absolutely different from mine) and people suddenly assume that I believe that way... Just because you UNDERSTAND someone does not mean you necessarily AGREE with them.

Answer 11

I find that other people, with conflicting opinions to be interesting,informative & educational, if their views are presented to me in a sane, concise manner, backed by facts & engaged in a reasonable, civil dialoge.I do have friends who have extremely far left, radical views & it's impossible for me to have ANY reasonable conversation with them....unless I agree with them, which I won't!!! I find, from my personal experience, anyway, that most of my "liberal' friends, are the LEAST tolerant of any opposing viewpoint!!!