This is an old common phrase meaning that all parties in a conflict or dispute are willing to resolve their differences by tolerating the opposing views while maintaining their own position. It first appeared in print in 1770 in John Wesley’s sermon, "On the Death of Rev. Mr. George Whitefield," preached Nov. 18, 1770, in which he acknowledges their doctrinal differences:

“There are many doctrines of a less essential nature ... In these we may think and let think; we may ‘agree to disagree.’ But, meantime, let us hold fast the essentials”

Wesley enclosed the phrase in quotation marks indicating that he was not the originator of it. Wesley’s brother, Charles, deemed to be the founder of the Methodist Church, attributed the expression to Whitefield himself, who had used it in a letter to “Mr. B.” twenty years earlier, dated June 29, 1750:

“After all, those who will live in peace must agree to disagree in many things with their fellow-labourers, and not let little things part or disunite them.”

But the gist of the saying came earlier; also first used by a minister, John Piggott, in "Sermon on Union and Peace, preach’d to several Congregations," April 17, 1704:

“And now why should we not agree to differ, without either enmity or scorn?”

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