“People aren’t afraid to keep the company of someone with whom they disagree, because I’ve proven to be respectful, I just happen to disagree with them.This is where peaceful, cooperative dialogue exists–a necessity for liberty.”
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I’ve also found, through long experience, that your chances of having a respectful, useful interchange depend upon the level of fundamentalism you and the other person have. I don’t just mean religion. If somebody’s views of finance, politics, even music are ultra-orthodox anything, they won’t be able to bend or take a step toward walking in the other person’s shoes. Everyone’s an individual, but people are essentially more alike than different. Fundamentalism emphasizes the differences, and it increases conflicts and animosity.