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Have you ever been able to see someone, usually a seen as some sort of terrible tyrant, in that alternate view? The one where, forgetting the wrongs of the regular view, they can be just a person? I've found in most people I know personally that not everyone is willing to do this. I've noticed a correlation between being able to momentarily 'pass off' a wrong to look at an otherwise amazing quality that created that wrong, and those who are also generally more accepting of their fellows.

I.E., a person who can look at Hitler and see him for his great speaking skills and influence, rather than seeing the Holocaust. A person who judges a person as a person, not as a religion or political party.

I've always found it rather natural to try and view things from this sort of an 'educated' so to speak point. Not to say that I don't care about things such as the Holocaust, but that I also try to see it from the other side. I've never really felt any reason to hate or dislike other based on race, political beliefs, and other beliefs. As you all likely know, I'm quite the believer of Communism, yet I'm also good friends with some who is an extreme Conservative. Although I disagree politically, I don't believe it should change who they are unless they make it so.

I believe religion is more than acceptable, as long as you don't push it on me. I disagree with many practices or beliefs of some religions, but I feel no need to interfere with people because of it.

The only people that I really have ever disliked are those who are too adamant about their beliefs to think that anyone else's are acceptable. The stereotypical southerner who believes that Jesus Christ is the one and only, and feels it necessary to let you know it by posting it up on signs, billboards, and outright refusing to be friendly with those who disagree. The kind who'll shun any kind of joke that might possibly involve their politics, who take it far too seriously. Although I agree, religion is a thing that jokes should be left out of (after all, it is holy to that person).


Discuss
1) Have you ever seen the 'alternate side' of things like this?
2) What is your view on people who refuse to see any other side?

As far as I can see, it's usually the victors of wars and battles who write history. And from that, we are missing out on a lot of details of the other side of the battlefield. I typically don't want to be called a supporter for the bad names of history, but I do acknowledge the potential that most people possess. Hitler obviously is an admirable person if we left out the holocaust part, Genghist Khan was a brilliant stratigist at his time and other imfamous people do have the qualities that could've made them good men. (or women)
I have my likes and dislikes, but I can tolerate a lot of things so long as I'm being forced to believe it. For people who want to force their morals and religion onto me, I really could care less. I myself am saying, "believe what you want, but be open-minded to the other possibilities."