Honestly, yes. Building shared community also means forming bonds with people who we don’t like or don’t understand. People don’t learn to change their views when they are shunned by others, they actually get worse. It is better for everyone if we keep things cordial, and attempt to understand each other. Perhaps the lightness with which they take these topics is a coping mechanism or attempt to protect the mind from painful things. I think we can all understand why someone might feel that way, even if it is the wrong thing to do.

You don’t have to be friends, obviously, but I think being friendly is good, if you can at all manage it. Don’t hurt yourself doing it though.