---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If your neighbor has a completely…"
description: "\"If your neighbor has a completely different view on abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, all of those things, you still are both Americans. Neit..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/653/phil-mcgraw-3416_abortion_if-your-neighbor-has-a-completely-differ_836497.jpg"
---

#  If your neighbor has a completely different view on…

![“If your neighbor has a completely different view on abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, all of those things, you still are both Americans. Neither one of you is necessarily more patriotic than the other. Neither loves their country any more than the other one does.” quote by Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/653/phil-mcgraw-3416_abortion_if-your-neighbor-has-a-completely-differ_836497.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/653/phil-mcgraw-3416_abortion_if-your-neighbor-has-a-completely-differ_836497.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/653/phil-mcgraw-3416_abortion_if-your-neighbor-has-a-completely-differ_836497.jpg)

> “If your neighbor has a completely different view on abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, all of those things, you still are both Americans. Neither one of you is necessarily more patriotic than the other. Neither loves their country any more than the other one does.”

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Even with opposing views on contentious issues, shared national identity unites people beyond political differences.

**In simple terms:** Different opinions don't erase shared citizenship.

Key Takeaway

Respect common identity despite disagreement.

Themes

tolerance patriotism diversity

Mood

thoughtful balanced

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

- family gatherings
- community meetings
- online forums
- political debates

Key Concepts

civic identity pluralism political discourse

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we foster genuine respect across deep disagreements?
- What role does shared identity play in conflict resolution?

A Different Perspective

Respect may be superficial if underlying values clash.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Abortion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/) [Americans Necessarily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans-necessarily-604482/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Gay marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay-marriage/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Necessarily Patriotic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/necessarily-patriotic-604480/) [Neighbor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighbor/) [Patriotic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotic/) [Patriotic Loves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotic-loves-604481/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/research/) [Stem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stem/) [Stem cell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stem-cell/) [Stem cell research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stem-cell-research/)

## Related quotes

> [“New Rule: Conservatives have to stop rolling their eyes every time they hear the word "France." Like just calling something French is the ultimate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/new-rule-conservatives-have-to-stop-rolling-their-eyes-every-time/)

[Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/)

> [In fact, many nations currently refuse to support embryonic stem cell research of any kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-deal/in-fact-many-nations-currently-refuse-to-support-embryonic-stem-cell/)

[Nathan Deal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-deal/)

> [There is just no sensible, logical reason why we would not make use of stem cell research.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlen-specter/there-is-just-no-sensible-logical-reason-why-we-would-not-make-use-of/)

[Arlen Specter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlen-specter/)

> [The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act would expand research on embryonic stem cells by increasing the number of lines stem cells that would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-israel/the-stem-cell-research-enhancement-act-would-expand-research-on/)

[Steve Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-israel/)

> [For me, moral questions such as stem-cell research turn upon whether suffering is caused. In this case, clearly none is. The embryos have no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/for-me-moral-questions-such-as-stem-cell-research-turn-upon-whether/)

[Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/)

> [We deeply regret Sen. Frist's endorsement of an embryonic stem cell research policy that would turn living human beings into commodities for exploitation. ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-stevens/we-deeply-regret-sen-frist-s-endorsement-of-an-embryonic-stem-cell/)

[David Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-stevens/)

> [There are many alternatives to embryonic stem cell research, alternatives with great potential. We need to support these and oppose creating life for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/there-are-many-alternatives-to-embryonic-stem-cell-research/)

[Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/)

> [The best that can be said about embryonic stem cell research is that it is scientific exploration into the potential benefits of killing human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delay/the-best-that-can-be-said-about-embryonic-stem-cell-research-is-that/)

[Tom DeLay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delay/)

> [Who knew, in 2000, that compassionate conservatism meant bigger government, unrestricted government spending, government intrusion in personal matters, government ineptitude, and cronyism in disaster…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-buckley/who-knew-in-2000-that-compassionate-conservatism-meant-bigger/)

[Christopher Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-buckley/)

> [Indeed, religion allows people to imagine that their concerns are moral when they are highly immoral - that is, when pressing these concerns inflicts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/indeed-religion-allows-people-to-imagine-that-their-concerns-are/)

[Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/)

> [The European Parliament must send a clear sign that it recognises the importance of embryonic stem cell research.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-walport/the-european-parliament-must-send-a-clear-sign-that-it-recognises-the/)

[Mark Walport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-walport/)

> [We have a lot to gain through furthering stem cell research, but medical breakthroughs should be fundamentally about saving, not destroying, human life. Therefore,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-steele/we-have-a-lot-to-gain-through-furthering-stem-cell-research-but/)

[Michael Steele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-steele/)

> [“I saw, during the midterm campaign of 2006, how difficult it was for opponents of stem cell research to run against hope. And so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-fox/i-saw-during-the-midterm-campaign-of-2006-how-difficult-it-was-for/)

[Michael J. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-fox/)

> [To all conservative women out there: If you are so sure the embryo needed for stem cell research are precious human life that can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/to-all-conservative-women-out-there-if-you-are-so-sure-the-embryo/)

[Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/)

> [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/)

[Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/)

## More by Phil McGraw

> [People have the right to think and say whatever they want to. But you have the right not to take it to heart, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/people-have-the-right-to-think-and-say-whatever-they-want-to-but-you/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [Nothing's funnier to me than laughing at myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/nothing-s-funnier-to-me-than-laughing-at-myself/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [There is no reality, only perception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/there-is-no-reality-only-perception/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [The problem is that for women, the average time is just over 14 minutes... men are left with about 12 minutes during which time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/the-problem-is-that-for-women-the-average-time-is-just-over-14/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [The Internet is just bringing all kinds of information into the home. There's just a lot of distraction, a lot of competition for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/the-internet-is-just-bringing-all-kinds-of-information-into-the-home/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [At the end of the day, whether or not those people are comfortable with how you're living your life doesn't matter. What matters is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/at-the-end-of-the-day-whether-or-not-those-people-are-comfortable/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [People are used to being coddled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/people-are-used-to-being-coddled/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [It's so much easier to tell people what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/it-s-so-much-easier-to-tell-people-what-they-want-to-hear-instead-of/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [Leaders inspire. They aren't assigned leadership. They command it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/leaders-inspire-they-aren-t-assigned-leadership-they-command-it/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [Those who marry for money end up EARNING it anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/those-who-marry-for-money-end-up-earning-it-anyway/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [There's a big difference between falling in love and being in love. There's a big difference between infatuation and falling in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/there-s-a-big-difference-between-falling-in-love-and-being-in-love/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [As parents we're not nearly as computer literate as our children are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/as-parents-we-re-not-nearly-as-computer-literate-as-our-children-are/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [Do you realize that you can't play the game of life with sweaty palms?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/do-you-realize-that-you-can-t-play-the-game-of-life-with-sweaty-palms/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [I think every parent, every generation has wanted their children to do better and have a higher standard of living. But I think there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/i-think-every-parent-every-generation-has-wanted-their-children-to-do/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [The most you get is what you ask for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/the-most-you-get-is-what-you-ask-for/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

[Explore all 131 Phil McGraw quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

## More Abortion quotes

> [“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/conception-is-the-beginning-of-human-life-from-the-time-that-an-ovum/)

[Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/)

> [Hey everyone, in case y'all didn't hear, I'm pregnat, and after discussing it w/ my family, I've decided to get an abortion, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-badesheim/hey-everyone-in-case-y-all-didn-t-hear-i-m-pregnat-and-after/)

[Madison Badesheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-badesheim/)

> [There was no mistake in us making abortion legal and available on demand. That was what we call progress. Just like it was no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ruffalo/there-was-no-mistake-in-us-making-abortion-legal-and-available-on/)

[Mark Ruffalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ruffalo/)

> [My favorite Founding Fathers, Christians like John Adams, were absolutely appalled by slavery, and did not own slaves. I think we're going to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/my-favorite-founding-fathers-christians-like-john-adams-were/)

[Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/)

> [“David Bereit, Founder of Forty Days for Life, points out that any abortion clinic in America should have a sign in its window that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-price/david-bereit-founder-of-forty-days-for-life-points-out-that-any/)

[John Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-price/)

> [The Chinese describe themselves as political refugees. Many base that claim on China's strict population laws, which allow them to have only one child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/the-chinese-describe-themselves-as-political-refugees-many-base-that/)

[Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/)

> [I'm a pro-life candidate because I believe that science is proving us right every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-m-a-pro-life-candidate-because-i-believe-that-science-is-proving-us/)

[Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/)

> [I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion…has been born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-noticed-that-everyone-who-is-for-abortion-has-been-born/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [We talk a lot about how abortion is a medical procedure, but actually if you look at what the other side is doing, they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-northup/we-talk-a-lot-about-how-abortion-is-a-medical-procedure-but-actually/)

[Nancy Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-northup/)

> [“The Vatican won't prosecute pedophile priests but I decide I'm not ready for motherhood and it's condemnation for me? These are the same people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-renee-taylor/the-vatican-won-t-prosecute-pedophile-priests-but-i-decide-i-m-not/)

[Sonya Renee Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-renee-taylor/)

> [Pro-lifers have long been castigated for bringing private values into the public square. But actually it is the pro-abortion position that is based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pearcey/pro-lifers-have-long-been-castigated-for-bringing-private-values-into/)

[Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/)

> [I am 100 percent pro-life and have been my whole life. That means I am opposed to abortion at any stage of pregnancy, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hawley/i-am-100-percent-pro-life-and-have-been-my-whole-life-that-means-i-am/)

[Josh Hawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hawley/)

> [Any woman should have the right to a safe and legal abortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-ford/any-woman-should-have-the-right-to-a-safe-and-legal-abortion/)

[Betty Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-ford/)

> [“For Republicans, life begins at conception but ends at birth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-adam-snyder/for-republicans-life-begins-at-conception-but-ends-at-birth/)

[J.Adam Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-adam-snyder/)

> [I think fundamentally, the real power behind the anti-choice movement in regard to abortion and the opposition to the rights of LGBT Americans is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-w-lynn/i-think-fundamentally-the-real-power-behind-the-anti-choice-movement/)

[Barry W. Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-w-lynn/)

[Browse all 1,629 Abortion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If your neighbor has a completely different view on abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, all of those things, you still are both Americans. Neither one of you is necessarily more patriotic than the other. Neither loves their country any more than the other one does.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Phil McGraw"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/if-your-neighbor-has-a-completely-different-view-on-abortion-gay/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Abortion"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/if-your-neighbor-has-a-completely-different-view-on-abortion-gay/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/653/phil-mcgraw-3416_abortion_if-your-neighbor-has-a-completely-differ_836497.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/653/phil-mcgraw-3416_abortion_if-your-neighbor-has-a-completely-differ_836497.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/653/phil-mcgraw-3416_abortion_if-your-neighbor-has-a-completely-differ_836497.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If your neighbor has a completely different view on abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, all of those…” — Phil McGraw",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Phil McGraw",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If your neighbor has a completely...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/if-your-neighbor-has-a-completely-different-view-on-abortion-gay/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/if-your-neighbor-has-a-completely-different-view-on-abortion-gay/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
