One of the hardest parts of being of the world...not just in it...is accepting that nice, rational people can (and frequently do) hold beliefs that offend us on some level. If everyone always believed the same, there would be no conflicts causing the tremendous heart-ache we see worldwide. Is that enough of a reason to want everyone to think alike? Not for me. Freedom is not just a buzzword that politicians throw around. It's a gift from God. You probably have far different beliefs religiously than me. (Hey! I'm good with that! No offense here!) But the Bible says we were all made 1) in His image...therefore we should ACT like him and be better people and 2) are free moral agents...able to make our own decisions and responsible for the outcomes of them.

Tell your friends how you feel on those painful subjects. Tell them why it hurts you so. Give them the opportunity to BE your friend by explaining why they feel the way they do. You may find that you are able to find enough common ground that the painful elements won't ruin your friendship after all. If they still are too much to bear? Be friend enough to TELL them why you are choosing to walk away. Will it all hurt? Oh yeah. Will you grow because of it? Yes, dear friend. You will.