What's more important to you in a friend? One who shares your religion/politics/ethnicity/interests/social status/moral views?

Real, honest and true friendship supersedes all the above in the question you've presented. I've had strong bonds of friendship with those who do not share my views. Yeah, you read that right. I refer to sane, rational and intelligent disagreement, not those who are poster children for an insane asylum. Often it begins as a matter of sharing the same occupation or shared interests such as sports, entertainment, theatre or the arts. A large part of friendship is a concern for the well being and welfare of the friend. No greater love hath a man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend.