[amy40]

stillness if you look at Diana eck's definition of pluralism
is there anywhere here or in the world that pluralism exists?

-energetic engagement with diversity
-active seeking of understanding across lines of difference
-encounter of commitments
-dialogue

according to her definition, pluralism is not diversity alone, not just tolerance, or relativism

[Stillness]

stillness if you look at Diana eck's definition of pluralism
is there anywhere here or in the world that pluralism exists?

-energetic engagement with diversity
-active seeking of understanding across lines of difference
-encounter of commitments
-dialogue

according to her definition, pluralism is not diversity alone, not just tolerance, or relativism

I don't know what "encounter of commitments" means, but most people live in lands that are pluralistic to some extent. There's a belief that certain values and rules must be held by everyone, but that you don't need to assimilate completely. And you're right about it being more than tolerance. Difference is embraced and viewed as beneficial.

There is also pluralism in various religious, political, commercial and social groups. So, yes pluralism does exist.

[DreamP346]

Sorry its taken so long to respond but life has been crazy busy.

"What does my citizenship have anything to do with it?" I asked that because I get the sense this is stemming from fear. No insult or attempt at offending you was intended. I'm trying to help here, and figure out whether you're acting out of fear or what.

Its not fear. I am actually in a place of privilege based on my educational background, my sexuality and financial status. I have nothing to fear personally. Just because I'm not Mexican, doesn't mean I am OK with people calling them "rapists and criminals. Just because I have good health insurance, doesn't mean I'm not concerned about Planned Parenthood being defunded. Just because I'm not Muslim, doesn't mean I am OK with the talk of creating a database of them.

Again, you brought Trump into this. You even include his name in the title of your post, so why are you so offended that people are referring to it. You've referenced the election and the aftermath, but we aren't allowed to bring into it some other idea regarding Trump? I understand it's his stance and ideas, and you're using his name as the example, but he isn't the founder and creator of racism and bigotry in this country. If you didn't want Trump to be included, why didn't you just title your post without his name, and say you'd discovered friends with racist tendencies and unsupportive immigration beliefs?

Although I am offended by everything Trump stands for, I am not offended by discussing him here. However, this particular post is about my friends who support Trump. Trump is a much larger discussion and I have invited you to start a new thread to discuss him. I would be glad to participate in that discussion. However, I wanted to keep this thread focused on this one issue.

It doesn't matter what Trump actually does in regards to my feelings of my friends. Even if he becomes the greatest and kindest president ever, it doesn't change the fact that he called for banning Muslims and my friends didn't think that was such a bad idea. They even voted for the man who promised to do that. It doesn't change the fact that they didn't think a man who claimed was entitled to grab women's privates just because he was famous didn't make him a misogynist. That fact will never change and my opinion of my friends are changed forever. Although I don't usually engage in political debates with these people, I know that they are not very respectful of women's bodies, they are prejudicial to immigrants, they don't see a big deal with targeting an entire group of people and so on. That is what I am currently discussing and challenged with.

[Stillness]

It doesn't change the fact that they didn't think a man who claimed was entitled to grab women's privates just because he was famous didn't make him a misogynist.

He never said that, sp. I think that's your bias speaking. That's why I think so many people have jns' persepctive:

I do not believe politics is a necessary part of our friendships.

They even take it further and actively keep politics out of things. We all have biases and things can get too emotionally charged to stay rational. It's best just to look at how our friends and acquaintances treat us and focus on the positive. Chew the meat and spit out the bone. Otherwise, we'd have no one in our lives.

[DreamP346]

They even take it further and actively keep politics out of things. We all have biases and things can get too emotionally charged to stay rational. It's best just to look at how our friends and acquaintances treat us and focus on the positive. Chew the meat and spit out the bone. Otherwise, we'd have no one in our lives.

Would you be friends with someone who was an active and vocal member of the KKK? Or someone who believed women were nothing but property that could be sold and bought? I'm guessing not. But the question is, at what point do you draw the line. At what point is a friend's social, moral and political stand too much for you to maintain the relationship?

I have friends who are republicans. Actually, my husband is an NRA member republican. And although I believe my political view is "more correct" than his, I don't think less of him. I can respect his views just like he can respect my views. But some views are just beyond "agree to disagree" level. Some views I just can't condone. I can't respect my friend's view that black people are lazy (yes, a friend actually posted on FB saying that). I can't respect my white rich male friend's view that everybody should just shut up about Trump winning, that things really aren't going to be so bad. I can't respect my friends who constantly post fake news and refuse to take it down even after numerous people point out it is wrong.

[Stillness]

Would you be friends with someone who was an active and vocal member of the KKK? Or someone who believed women were nothing but property that could be sold and bought?

I they treat me well and meant me no harm I can enjoy their company, have conversation or a meal with them, work with them, do good for them, and wish them well. I have family like this that I love deeply. I know what humans are. It doesn't take away from me if those I love believe we're descended from animals, divides us into races, or believe that someone is inferior because of their sex.

Where the relationship starts to really wear thin is if they mistreat me or those I love or they become some kind of a threat.