Two part question: Do you have friends of radically different beliefs,?

Question

and what made you decide to be friends with that person in the first place?

Thanks!

Answer 1

In a way I guess you could say that. I am a Hindu and most of my friends are Christians. Online I have friends who are Atheists, Muslims, and Jewish. I do not decide who I am going to be a friend with based on religion. But if someone has a serious problem with my religion, then we're probably not going to be the best of friends, because my religion is very important to me. I believe in respect and tolerance of all religions, and the only time I ever have any problem with religion in friendship is when the other person is not respectful and tolerant.

Answer 2

Right now, I have quite a few atheist and agnostic friends, my brother's a Mormon and I'm closer to him than my other two brothers... and I have a lot of friends that are Christian. One is non-denominational and thinks he's a prophet (and he's a little annoying). Another is non-practicing Greek Orthodox. My best gf is a non-practicing Jehovah's Witness, and I have a co-worker that is a practicing Jehovah's Witness.

I rarely talk to people I hang out with about religion. It just doesn't come up much. We're too busy laughing about the last dumb thing someone did or said... so I guess that's one thing I look for in anyone I associate with - a sense of humor.

My friends are mostly very intelligent people, and they are all good people. None try to push me or act holier than thou... the "prophet" sometimes flirts with the notion of crossing that line, but hasn't as of yet.

And beliefs other than religion, like political beliefs? Just in my family alone there's a range from complete right-wing nutjob to ex hippie.

In real life, I get into more discussions with people about political issues than I do about religion... but just because someone's opinions differ from mine doesn't mean I won't want to know them.

So, I have and have always had a lot of different influences... Maybe this is why I don't know what label really fits *me*... spiritually or politically.

Answer 3

In my country everybody have radically different political beliefs, so yes, you will find some friends like that if you come to Venezuela..anyways, they are my friends before of all of the political chaos in my country, and the friendship remains because we try not to discuss about it

Answer 4

If you only have friends that have the same beliefs you do, you stand a very high chance that you will start to genuinely believe that your "beliefs" are absolutely right. Once you reach that point, you become extremely dangerous to the world at large.

Answer 5

My best friend was raised with no religious influence, and is now married to a Hari-Krishna, and a vegetarian now as a result. While she does tend to be extreme sometimes and overly-dramatic about being a vegetarian, it doesn't change who she is and why I am her friend. Her beliefs don't influence my beliefs, so she is my friend because we like the same things and compliment each other.

Answer 6

No but friends of the same belief caused me to be radically different! I no longer go to church because of self righteous judge mental so-called friends!

Answer 7

Sure...

I have a friend who is a die hard atheist, several who are Christians and a few Pagans I hang with.

The Pagans I hang out with because we share a common faith and support each other. The atheist and the Christians I got to know through a theology discussion group. And my very best friend, my wife, is a Christian.

Answer 8

Oh, yes. And usually we ended up striking up a friendship because we got to know each other as people before our religious beliefs even entered into the discussion.

Answer 9

yes! I befriended them because they were different. I like diversity in my life and I do not think so highly of my own state or condition that I would ever find little agreeable mirrors in my friends and companions that I picked out especially because they are exact copies of me and it is just more agreeable to look at yourself. Flaws and all.

I like honest discussion, I like healthy productive debate and I love people who think and reason and discuss.

My life partner is very diferent from me, He is atheist and I am a non religious believer. I have raised my children to believe what it is that is in their hearts, to follow their flights and fancies from a safe healthy distance. I love diversity and I love people that have the emotional, mental and spiritual ability to check my neck when I get out of line and people who respect me if I do the same. I would have them no other way!

Answer 10

lots of my friends... i like different people of ideas, colors, personalities, character, and beliefs. if we as 2 get along, then that's all that matters. the only hard part is having a party or something when all your friends aren't all your friend's friends.