How do you handle it when someone doesn’t like you?

In this blog, I would like to discuss an area that is challenging for me and I would appreciate your views.  

How do you handle it when someone doesn’t like you because of your beliefs [political or Spiritual]?

For me this is a difficult situation. Everything within me desires to have other people like me. I’m not referring to wanting everyone to be buddies and hang out together. I’m talking about the smaller group of people, those that are important to me [for whatever reason] which would include family, extended family and associates.  
                                                     

   

A person’s attitude towards me is usually the determining factor that causes me to think that they don't like me; for instance if they give me the cold shoulder, are indifferent, or have an arrogant attitude toward me.

But the most difficult for me is when a person clearly does not like me and visibly harbors feelings of animosity or resentment towards me, and yet they prefer to pretend that all is well between us and try to mask their feelings through pretense and avoidance.

Do you confront them, ignore them, or mask your feeling with pretense and avoid them also?

I think most people if they harbor dislike for another person it's a form of bigotry, although they would never see it that way. Some may think I’ve used too harsh a word [bigot]. However this is the definition of the word bigot: “A person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices.” 

Sadly this is a pretty basic human behavior. It makes us feel safer when others are like us and think like we do. The more different we are the more uncomfortable we are.

I do believe that there is a prevailing attitude in the world that is dangerous to a free society.  That is when people infer that if someone doesn’t believe or think in a similar way as they do, (whether political, or religious, or otherwise) they take it as a personal affront and that is what determines whether they like or dislike someone.  They regard it as though the differences of opinion, have personally caused them insult or injury. Resentment builds and therefore they cannot respect another person’s philosophy when it is different from their own.  I wonder if this is because they see themselves as a little more superior or intellectually smarter and believe that they are being more tolerant then those who think differently.   

Actually it is a sad and lonely world when we look down with scorn on those that hold opposite or different views from our own.  This can be dangerous because animosity can creep in and rear its ugly head, and strong feelings of ill will and dislike will begin to display itself in action.

When did people begin to believe or think agreeing with someone equates to liking them and not agreeing is to not like them?

 Nonetheless, when I think I am not liked by someone I tend to quietly ignore the obvious. Any thoughts on this?