Us vs. Them- To Conform or Not To?

Ah, the age-old situation of the individual and the community. We've all had to deal with this before, whether it be a cool band or a political opinion. Do we follow the crowd and conform to fit in? Or do we stand out to be our own person and live our own life? Of course, people are going to stay stand out, but really, honestly, would you make a decision for yourself if it ruined a friendship but kept you from being the person you were?

It's a tough question, for sure. I'll give an example. You are not very religious, but you are a feminist and believe strongly that women should have the right to choose. Say you go to a Catholic school where even the choice of abortion is pretty much banned. If asked, would you state your truthful views? Would you not answer? Would you pretend to believe in something else because your friends might act differently toward you? If we were being totally honest here, I wouldn't answer it. My religious views should not get in the way of a perfectly fine friendship. If two people have different opinions, they should be able to state them or not state them and get along just fine.

So is it possible for two friends with different opinions to get along after both views are out in the open, and both feel passionately? I guess it depends on the person, if no one conforms [not to say I'm encouraging conforming]. But thankfully, we live in a free country, where we can believe and say whatever we want. Don't take freedom of speech for granted, and be yourself and state your beliefs, because if you aren't you, then who else is?

Before I leave, I would like to offer you all a few words of advice. Don't be that one guy who loves the same bands, dresses the same and does the same things as everybody else. Dare to be different.