As a child, I was told to never discuss politics and religion.
I thought that was a crock. What the hell else are you supposed to discuss?
I gleefully discussed both all the time, flying in the face of good manners.
Now I’m older and I really think it’s best if I don’t know my friends’ politics or religion.
It might be better if we stick to safe things, like sex.
Just like a Slattery 
It depends. Sometimes there is an opportunity(and it is RARE) to talk about religion and politics. The brits do it better than us – they get rowdy(just look at a session of parliament), but they can have a drink after and not be bothered. We take it all very personally here, I think. I know I do.