What should i do? (v2)?

Question

I've have found my friend to be ignoring me because of my religious choice, he is a christian and i am a pagan (i was agnostic before) because it feels right to me, ever since he got baptised as a born-again, i feel that he has been brainwashed by his friend andy, who shoves his beliefs onto me (wearing a cross out and occasional ranting about god and how i am a devil worshipper, blah, blah, blah). i am the only real friend that he's got (he fell out with my other friend), but i know do know that as soon as he has a fall-out with this andy, he'll want to be my friend again (because he won't have anybody else to turn to), my parents said that i shouldn't talk to him again, i find that he talks to me a lot less now because he goes to christian church and everytime he sees me he either ignores me or turns around and walks off, i feel that he is laughing at me behind my back with his christian friends, its very annoying and upsetting,

What do you think i should do about this??

The more answers, the better, please.

Answer 1

If he was my friend, when he came crawling back i would tell him to go away and come back when he could treat me with some respect. Friendship is about accepting a person for who they are wether its gender, religion, sexuality etc
Dont let him make you feel like a lesser person because you choose a different religion, you deserve a friend you can trust and rely on. He sounds very mixed up and easily led and i bet he will regret treating you so badly, its very hurtful when a friend betrays us and only you can decide if you can forgive him when the time comes. Be cool with him for now, say hello but dont go out of your way to speak to him and try not to take his comments to heart, he is just trying to impress his new friends. Dont let him see he is hurting you as this will just encourage him. If he sees you dont care then there is no point laughing at you is there? Lean on your other mates and when this all cools down and he is begging for forgiveness you will be the one laughing. Good luck x

Answer 2

Same thing happened to my best friend when we were at university. Her friend was always Christian, but as she joined Pagan Society, he joined the Christian Union and became "born again". She had to endure his pity and his censure for a while until, sadly, the friendship broke down. Recently, she saw him again and he was completely different. He actually apologised for the way he treated her.

Look at it this way, you've both experienced what is for each of you a revelation, a spiritual truth. It's a life-changing experience and when he's had a chance to settle into this new way of thinking, he will probably calm down. Committing to a faith is the first step on the path, as a pagan you'll probably understand this more than most, the next is working out what you really believe. At first everyone conforms a bit, then as you become more comfortable, you think a little deeper and you become more confident in defining yourself. If someone asked me ten years ago what I "was" I'd have said "Wiccan", because that's what all the books said a witch was called these days. Now I'd say I'm a Cottage Witch. I refined my perception of myself. Your friend is doing the same. This "Andy" is a big influence now but as he starts thinking about it, he will stand on his own two feet more. If he values you as a friend, your religion wont matter.

Be patient and strong. Rise above all the silly "walking off" stuff. If he was a true Christian he wouldn't treat you like that. This Andy sounds like a complete tit. If he spouts any crap about devil worship, calmly refute every point. Arm yourself with knowledge. I guarantee he knows nothing about his own faith, let alone yours. Tell him God said "Judge not lest ye be judged" and remind him that Jesus loved gentiles (he never made them convert before he healed them!) and only loathed hypocrisy- like his. Your friend will come around, if he's worth your friendship. If not, you're not alone. You're a pagan, be proud! There's millions of us out there.

Bright Blessings

Answer 3

How much do you value your friendship with this person? You need to weigh that up against the drivel he's giving you at the moment.
You could always talk to him first, saying that you don't agree with his preaching at you, and would be grateful, for the sake of your friendship, if he would desist. In return, don't shove your paganism down his throat. I know that the early Church took a lot of pagan symbols, and made them their own (the festival of Christmas, for example!), but pointing out these facts to a new believer - especially such a reactionary one! - will not help matters.
Are you happy to keep your friendship if it means not talking about religion? Do you think that either of you will be able to manage that?
Best of luck, and, whatever you decide, it will be the right choice. One closed door is the opening of another...

Answer 4

Neither of you are right or wrong, a belief is something very personal and as you don't agree it may be easier not to see each other any more, at least for the time being.

Stay in contact and let him know you are there for him so that if this Andy guy does drop him then he knows he can come back to you and you'll still be there for him.

It's very hard but as you get older friendships change and not always for the better.

HTH

Lola

xxxxxx

Answer 5

I'm sorry this has happened to you. However, you have no control over his destiny...please remember that. We all come to a point in our lives where the choices we make have repercussions on others. Obviously, this is one of the choices that your friend has made. He does not want to be friends with you unless you convert to his way of thinking. What you need to do is continue on the Path that is set forth for you, be that Pagan or Christian? It sounds like you have loving parents who are standing behind your decision and will support you. That's good, as most Pagans don't have family support.

My recommendation is to make some new friends who share your interests. Find a Pagan group through a local Pagan store or through www.witchvox.com. If you are really lucky, there will be a "Pagan Meet-up" in your area where you can meet people who are of like mind. If there is a Pagan store in your area (also can be listed in Witchvox), maybe you can ask the owner or manager for information regarding others in your area. Most, myself included, sometimes organize mini-events for different age groups or larger events where Pagans can socialize and meet others. If you are under 18, please be prepared (and have them prepared) to bring one or both parents along. Most reputable Pagans will want to know that you have your parent's blessing.

As for your friend, well, if he's laughing at you behind your back, I feel sorry for him. He obviously has poor self-esteem and feels that he needs to ridicule you for his own enjoyment. He is not much of a friend and I know that I wouldn't allow him back as a friend unless he was deeply apologetic for what he had done to hurt me.

You say you are Pagan but not Wiccan...not a problem...but I feel I should remind you of the most important words of the Wiccan Rede: "Harm none, lest ye be harmed." Importance? Simple...by doing harm to him, you are only inviting more ridicule. Allow him to show his true colors to his new friends. Maybe they will see him for what he truly is.

Brightest Blessings
)0(

Answer 6

No, you actually have all of it incorrect regrettably VR is the rotation speed or the speed at which the pilot begins to tug the nostril equipment off the runway, and V2 is the speed at which a pilot can nonetheless competently fly the plane contained in the type of an engine loss The order is honestly V1, the speed at that you will be able to competently abort the takeoff if some thing to were happen in the course of the takeoff roll. VR, is as I actually have stated, the speed at which the pilot begins to tug the nostril of the plane off the runway, and V2

Answer 7

First I am so sorry. If he was a true friend and a true christian he would still be your friends. It is going to hurt but I would cut off all contact with your friend. Right now he is trying to look cool for Andy so he is going to be a jerk. When I told my family that I was Wiccan some of them did the same thing as your friend telling me that I was going to go to hell but if this is where you need to be holed fast to it. Be true to yourself and you will find that it will all come back to you. I hope this helps.

Blessed Be )0(

Answer 8

I'm guessing you're in highschool or younger, if that's the case, don't get bent out of shape, people act like total douchbags when they're young, you seem to have your head on your shoulders for the most part. Just do what you're doing, and who cares if they're laughing at you, you're not the one that allowed yourself to be brainwashed and sucked into some cult that preaches love and practices intolerance. Jesus hung out with hookers and criminals. The pharasies(priests) chastised those people and guess who is burning for eternity? With any luck your friend isn't an idiot and will see the hypocracy and come out of it.

Answer 9

This is the danger of stupid bone headed fundie christians who won't open up and are strictly closed minded and write off anythign they dont understand or disaggree with as "satanic" yet want everyone else to accept them as they are. You're best off lettting this person fall on his face and not bother with him. He will eventually have to learn that there is something wrong with the way he is acting towards you that's he's most likely going to repeat this with other people who don't aggree with him. He will keep losing his friends and thats his problem dont let it be yours. You will have other friends that care for you.

Answer 10

ignore him ...as a christian sometimes find the born again way over the top... think you have to make some new friends ..go for mixed me I come from a very mixed background mainly christian of different denominations and we all respect each others beliefs and mix really well ..it seems you also have doubt in your own beliefs that's called life ..so go live meet new people go to college uni make new friends ..forget him ..for now ...sure he will see the light eventually ...but you have your own light to follow ..