Who do you think has more trouble being friends....a christian with an atheist or an atheist with a christian?

Question

I think it would be more difficult for a christian to be friends with an atheist. What do you think?

Or any belief for that matter.....like a muslim with an agnostic

The reason why I say that DragonFly is because that is what I see around me. I have seen many Christians not be friends with somebody because of their faith. For instance, my mother broke up with her boyfriend because he didn't believe in God. Also, I have a very good friend who doesn't believe in "our" God, though she does believe there is a God...and my grandmother told me I shouldn't be friends with her. I know that its not like that for all Christians, because that would be ignorant and stereotyping but it is like that for a lot of people I know (though it isn't for me).

Answer 1

Individually it would be 50/50, because they both have to be willing to be friends with each other. I'm Christian, but more than half of my friends are Atheist. We get along quite well.

Answer 2

Why do you say that, there is more responsibility on the Christians side because they know from the teachings of Jesus that they should love their neighbor regardless of what that person believes or how they live. Granted I think that there are alot of Christians out there that just don't get it but again that's not my place to judge. I think it really just depends on the people that are involved and how they live their lives and their beliefs.
I have many friends from other religions and some that don't believe. It's all in how you treat others that counts. If you can respect others then there isn't a problem.

Answer 3

depends on how openminded a person is, I'm an atheist and I've had several christian friends but at the same time I know some who wouldn't even talk to me because of my belief. I think that's wrong. I don't ignore them because their believe in a higher being, why should they ignore me because I don't? I know I'm leaning toward my side but I do think that some atheists are a little more open minded that some christians. I also think that if "god" was all good and stuff you know that he/she wouldn't judge people for not believing in him/her because he's given no solid proff and if I go to hell for that (if their even is one), well I'm sorry but prove it to me and I'll believe it.

Answer 4

I think a truly practicing Christian would have more trouble having an atheist friend (or non-Christian friend). Since the atheist doesn't believe in God, they would roll off faith-related issues that the Christian talks about. Whereas, a Christian would find it hard to listen to someone who might be disrespectful to God, whom they believe in. For someone who truly loves God, their whole life is with, for and about God. Everything they do is for the glory of God, so associations with those who do not believe in God would be painful spiritually because you could not share your enthusiam and love for God with them.

Of course, many saints were given great love for people and their main concern was the souls of those they cared for. So while they mingled with non-Christian persons (like Mother Teresa), they loved them and cared about their spiritual welfare.

The same is true of (for example) Catholics who are in mixed marriage (married to a non-Catholic). They may love their non-Catholic spouse but they cannot grow spiritually with that person and their spiritual journey is quite separate despite their marriage vows. In fact, a mixed couple (for example, one baptized Catholic and one non-Christian, non-baptized spouse) doesn't even have a sacramental marriage but a natural marriage instead. They do not receive the graces normally given in a sacramental marriage.

I do think, however, different religious marriages would be more difficult. A protestant with a Jewish spouse or a Christian with a Muslim spouse. There are major differences in the religions and if one of them is truly practicing of their particular faith it will make almost every important factor in their marriage a major obstacle. For example, when they have children, some religions don't allow for leeway in this area and the child would have to be raised in only one religion. I know for Catholics, this is true. The non-Catholic spouse has to agree to raise the children in the Catholic Faith before the marriage is given approval. I think this is also the same for Muslim families (you'd have to ask them though, as there are different sects in Islam now that probably differ).

Hope this helps.
"Jesus, I trust in You." - Divine Mercy Prayer
www.marian.org

Kaylan

Answer 5

Well, it all depends on the type of Christian or Atheist. I don't like to lump people into one catagory. I'm a Christian and I'd have no problem being friends with an atheist, yet I know other people from my church who would never socialize with an atheist. I'm sure it goes both ways as well. It just depends on the amount of openmindedness each has.

Answer 6

I even do not comprehend, yet as a christian to hearken to someone tell me that they use to be a christian and now they are atheists, i ought to extremely have a heart to heart with them, in the adventure that they are looking for for for that. it is carefully no longer accessible for anybody to grow to be a really born back christian and then turn atheist. It can't take position., because the bible says, after we are shop, we may be able to under no circumstances and we absolutely do not opt to ever grow to be unsaved back. you spot being a real born back christian is like affirming i'm reborn. i become born once bodily. Now i'm born back, yet no longer as area of this international, as area of the heavenly. i'm airs with Christ. we are actually reborn back . Our souls are reborn, no longer our bodies. On ought to 21, 2011 we may be able to have a sparkling body to pass with the hot soul. this may extremely ensue. The bible teaches this. So, you spot being born back isn't rather a lot on the breaking point of a faith. it is a few thing the Lord do to us.

Answer 7

Well, I believe it's all on what type of what Christian and atheist you're talking about. I'm Catholic, and I have a friend who is outgoing, hyper, and very friendly -- an all-around godd person to be with. I also have another who's aheist and was a newbie to my high school. My atheist friend got to sit next to me in English class on her first day, and she was mostly conservative, and if you looked close enough, had a tiny sense of fear. I got to talk to her and helped her with lots of things, and my christian friend also talked to her. My christian & atheist friends are like, really close friends now, and we constantly keep in touch. My christian friend is happy now, because before we met our atheist pal, she was really depressed, and even talked about dying (Yikes!), but now with us and she's really outgoing and a very interesting person & close friend.

Answer 8

Well, depends on the person of course, but the Christian should be more accepting of the atheist. The Bible says that what we believe sounds like foolishness to those who don't. So even the Bible tells us how non-believers will feel. But we are To love everyone. I love atheists!

Answer 9

depends on how narrow-minded a particular person is. I've dealt with Christians who've wanted nothing to do with me simply because I'm an atheist. On the other hand, I know my fair share of atheists who feel they are intellectually superior to Christians and therefore do not make any honest effort to befriend them.

Answer 10

The atheist with the Christian probably has more trouble being friends. Christians seem to be more accepting in general, while atheists seem more challenging and antagonistic when it comes to spiritual matters.