I can't stand any guy who's pushy, for any reason. I used to take the bus to places anywhere in-between my home and Atlantic City, and AC itself. I met some real freaks (male and female). That's not to say everybody who takes the bus or lives in or near AC is a freak...I like to think the majority aren't. I'm just saying, I had a lot of experiences with the weirdos. One time, I was walking to work, and this guy started talking to me. I was absolutely not interested, and I had a boyfriend. I was really nice at first, but he wouldn't take no for an answer. I started telling him to leave me alone, and he began putting on a display, making it look like I was a b**** and not giving a decent guy a chance. "Aw, baby, why you gotta be like that?" he said. I was on the verge of calling the police when he finally backed off.

I don't want a boyfriend who is extremely different than me, especially in religious/non-religious views and politics. Some differences are ok; too alike, and it gets boring. Too different, and it might be boring, but also might be constant fighting. I can debate online anytime, and there are plenty of people in real life I can debate. I don't want that with my guy.

That said, my current boyfriend is a Lutheran! He was originally a non-practicing Catholic, then decided to try out different churches, and settled upon Lutheran. I'm agnostic and a freethinker. I don't have a problem with Christians, but I find many (not all) to be bullies, because they have the majority religion. I also find a lot of people of other religions and non-religions who are pushy about their beliefs. I push back when pushed, and I generally speak up when I think things aren't equal, fair or right (although I do pick my battles). Anyway, my bf isn't pushy, and he doesn't have the same kinds of beliefs as I've usually found in Christians, so we get along, for the most part. That said, we differ in beliefs quite a bit, too, and I will separate from him when I'm able.

There's nothing wrong with wanting your partner to be similar to you when it comes to beliefs and politics. I don't want to argue with my romantic partner over such things. I want someone who will support me and go along with the things I stand for.

I've had guys respond to personal ads who felt that I should give them a chance, even though their beliefs were vastly different than mine, and they kept pushing. I consider it a waste of my time, because I just wouldn't get along with such a guy as more than a friend, and maybe not even that. And I generally don't want to be friends with a guy who's pushy, even if it's just for friendship.

Another thing about personals is, I read an article that said men usually don't read past the second line. I'm not generalizing, just stating what the article said. It might be true of women, too. In any case, I believe it. I can't tell you how many responses I had from people who obviously hadn't read my ad. They see the pic, maybe the first line of the ad, and then they reply.

You deserve respect, wi_fighter, and you deserve a guy who shares your beliefs, so stick to your guns.