I am personally pro-choice because God gave us free will and there does not seem to be a constitutional basis for an abortion ban, unless it is redefined as murder. I would never have an abortion, but that is my choice. I'm not sure if this makes me a liberal or a conservative. That said, I understand the desire some of you have expressed to be surrounded by others who share your views, but if we were all expected to feel the same way about everything, this would be Communist China, and nothing would ever change. You found my friend rude and condescending, but you are bordering on his mistakes.
Perhaps I am misunderstanding your meaning, and this is an overreaction prompted by the lack of respect some people have for others' ideals simply because they are different from their own. I think this is a problem in all societies. I do not mean to rant, and my friend should not have dismissed anyone's ideas as foolish, but was it necessary to call him an ass? I thought the internet was a place for people to meet without prejudice, because you can't pre-judge someone if you can't see them. Therefore, the internet should be the premier place to challenge ideas and raise debates. Maybe Mere's LJ is not the appropriate place for this discussion, but then, what is the appropriate place? We like to think that we are open-minded people out to get an education, but how much of an education is it if everyone around us believes the same thing and never raises questions?