Can a Christian be friends with an Atheist?

Question

I have a friend who is an Atheist and I am a Christian. Is that ok or do I need to quit being friends with her? Or should I try to tell her how great Jesus Christ is?

Oh I want all my friends to go to Heaven.

Answer 1

Unless she is attacking your religious beliefs, do not abandon your friend, but also do not attempt to preach to her. Take the cue from her as to whether she wants to discuss religion. If she has questions about why you believe as you do, answer them reasonably and honestly, but do not criticize her lack of belief. Each person has to discover God on their own. It is good for her to have a friend who may sometimes give her an alternate viewpoint, and also good for you. Someone who will challenge your beliefs will help you think more deeply about what you believe and why. This friendship may plant seeds in your friend that will flower down the road, but that is something you should leave in God's hands. Just be a good friend.

Answer 2

sure, you can be friends with her. I am an atheist and one of my best friends is not only a christian...he's a minister. He respects my beliefs and I respect his.

Under no circumstances should you tell her how great you feel jesus christ is. Nothing pisses of an atheist more than getting religion pushed on them. You're more than welcome to express your views about christianity to her, but do it in a way that doesn't insult atheists. Likewise, she should be just as careful if she expresses any of her atheistic views to you. I've gotten into some interesting religious conversations with my minister friend and we've never had an argument about it because we're always careful to express our views in such a way that we're not inadvertantly insulting the each other's views.

The people who you SHOULD avoid are the ignorant fools who tell you that you can't be friends with this girl just because she's an atheist.

Answer 3

I have a friend that is an Atheist and I am a Christian. It is ok, and you don't need to try to convert her in the morning but you should eventually when you feel it is right to tell her about Jesus Christ.

Answer 4

Sure, just so long as you respect your friends rights to believe what they believe. Don't even try to push your religion on them, unless you really do want to call off the friendship though.
And if you start talking to her about 'how great Jesus Christ is' then be prepared for her to start giving you all the reasons why she does not agree with you.

Answer 5

I work with one, under one actually. I do not choose to be labeled as Christian, I believe Jeshua Messiah the Babtized Son of God sacrificed for our "Salvation", the question least asked after that is , where, and when? Or even how. Anyway yeah we have good debates, I ussually pose on the fence stuff, play the devils advocate a bit just so I don't go all offensive style.

Answer 6

I know of people here on this site that have atheist friends they met here. When I was a Christian, I didn't feel the need to withhold my friendship from anyone whose company I enjoyed.

You should 1. Leave your friend alone unless she is willing to debate and you are willing to do just as much listening as preaching and 2. Ask yourself what kind of loving belief system would have you consider turning your back on a friend.

Answer 7

We should always show love and respect. Remember we are the light of the world, but with this comes wisdom and responsibility. This is what God inspired the Apostle Paul to write about this subject...
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? KJV

2Co 6:14 Stay away from people who are not followers of the Lord! Can someone who is good get along with someone who is evil? Are light and darkness the same?
CEV

Answer 8

If you want to stop being friends tell her how great Jesus is and that will end your friendship...but if you have a proper open discussion about belief and are willing to hear her world-view instead of trying to convert her you might manage to stay friends, try to appreciate her for being different to you, we don't all need to think the same way...good luck!

Answer 9

I have friends that are druid, atheist, pagan etc... and I continue to be friends with them. Obviously we don't agree on everything, but we are all open enough to discuss things and congratulate each other as we learn and grow.

I don't talk them into being Christian, but I hope they see my life as a good example and if they want to know about it - they know who to ask. I also don't hide things - like if I get really excited over something I've learnt, I tell them and don't fear that they will reject me.

Its a balance, but its I believe its what Jesus would do.

Answer 10

well i am so...

yeah it's ok. if you're a christian then you know that as a chrisitan your mission is to preach to other people about Jesus. So to speak. But I hate imposing on other peoples' beliefs...so it's kinda a moral dilemma. Especially because I'm friends with this guy who is so anti-religion but he's such a great guy...he's one of my best friends, so it saddens me sometimes. but i believe all people are faced with their own demons and spirituality at different times in their lives. so people who claim to be atheist, aren't hopeless forever...i think they just haven't had this defining moment that we as christians have had to make us believe. As for you, you can be friends with whoever you want. Should you try telling her how great Jesus is? Perhaps you should ask her some questions...like ask her what she knows about Jesus/Christianity...ask her where her beliefs/non-beliefs come from...find out stuff about her and then segway into what you believe.