Maybe I'm just getting old and set in my ways, but I've changed in regards to who I can date and who I can't. I used to be able to date people with very different views on religion/spirituality and politics but I don't think I can anymore.

No one is going to have the exact same beliefs as another person, but I know now that the person I will be with will have to have similar views. Maybe I just take these issues more seriously than I did when I was in my 20's and 30's. I don't know. It isn't enough anymore that they simply respect my views and we agree to disagree. Does anyone else feel this way?

I'm glad I dropped the political bulls*** and went back to anarchy, I can't go to either extreme though...But know enough about politics that I can engage in conversation without anyone knowing that I'd rather their flag burn than stand.

Religion...Well, that one has changed immensely for me of late. I still don't particularly care, but it does limit options to this point, which only means that my small pool of people became even smaller.

I think maybe, you have learned, through
trial-and-error, that too many differing
ideals leads to trouble.

I remain uncertain, however, that that is
the cause.

I look for concepts, like faithfulness, charity
towards others, integrity, honor, kindness,
positivity, if those are there, I really can
celebrate the uniqueness of that person and
revel in a differing opinion with regard to
religion and/or politics.

I doubt I could date someone who is very religious, just because I am not religious at all and I feel they'd have more of a problem with that. As far as politics go, as long as we can be respectful of each others beliefs, I'm good with that.

So, religion is something you consider when dating now. But, not politics?

Perhaps. You have some good points. You always do. But, a conservative Christian man can be faithful, charitable, kind, etc. However, most of them consider my beliefs to be evil or cute. Neither of which I can tolerate.

Simply because the beliefs are so widely varied in religion and many conflict with themselves, not my choosing...But the choices of others as I've seen, many do not wish to attempt to date those outside of their religion, I personally don't give a s***...C'est la vie though, I can't change the way other people view it.

Politics is just a big running joke...Funny, amusing, but hardly something to get all worked up over.

I used to think that, too. About the politics. And, like I said, no one is going to agree on everything. But, I couldn't date someone with beliefs extremely different than mine. Some differences, of course. But, basic philosophy and values will have to be the same and that has a big impact on our political leanings.

I consider politics as well, as long as we can respect each others beliefs. If they're extremely different, we probably won't have much in common anyway, which would mean there probably would not be much interest. But, I've met guys who are definitely more conservative than I am who are pretty awesome, so I would not rule out someone with different ideas on politics.

I don't know. I know some pretty awesome on the left and the right, but that doesn't mean they'd be a good match for me in a relationship. It's our values that usually determine our political leanings and those values will surface in different ways in a long term relationship.

Different things work for different people. I'm not saying I'd do well in a relationship with someone who was conservative, but if we hit it off well, I'd see how it goes. I'm not going to reject them just for that reason.

Religion comes into play big time when you have children. Otherwise, it can probably be overlooked. But, people who don't even practice their religion will find it is suddenly extremely important to them when raising their children. (Just passing along this advice from an old mom to a young man who may have children with a woman one day).

Yeah, I get what you are saying.

Surprisingly it isn't people with children, these are generally younger women with no kids...They're just so in touch with their relationship with God that they won't budge. I can understand the conflict though, considering the variations of religion and different ideas. Everything from raging atheism to rabid theism, seems to be a very important ideal for many of them.

Don't worry though, I still don't really care that you're a witch, Ruth.

I think religion differences could be overlooked as long as one person is not so religious that it runs their life. I would have absolutely no problem if someone wanted to go to church, pray or anything like that as long as they didn't have a problem with me not being involved in that part of their life.

Thanks, Duane.

Yes, you're probably right.

They would have to have the same views religiously and politically as mine other wise we would be fighting 24/7.

I feel the same way about people myself. Most people I have met like this become overbearing and want to push their belief onto me to ...."save me" .