I have a friend who is an atheist but she wants to have an understanding about the Christian religion.
Her closest friends who are very religious Christian people still do not know that she is an atheist and thinks that she is a Christian.
She also goes to bible study in order to see what is so great about it. Does this make her a liar?
She is afraid that by telling her friends that she isn't a Christian will make her lose their friendships.
How can I help her? and how do you think her friends will take it?
2007-02-12 18:10:57 · 23 answers · asked by chinkster 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Going to Bible study to learn about it when you aren't a Christian doesn't make you a liar by default. However, if she is explaining her presence there by telling people that she is a devout Christian who wants to get in touch with her roots, that WOULD be a lie. It would also be a lie if people asked, "What religion are you?" and she said that she was a Christian and she clearly wasn't. The proper way to do what she did is explain to the person leading the Bible study that you are an atheist and that you would like to observe on a first hand basis how Bible study works and learn a bit more about the religion. I can't imagine any honest Christians turning her down just because she was an atheist if she approached them honestly with her background and motives.
If her friends don't know that she is an atheist because she isn't telling them (omitting the truth or refusing to volunteer it until asked) that doesn't make her a liar either. If she is actively putting herself out there as a Christian and telling people (even when asked) that she is religious then that is definitely deceitful., though.
You should help her out by telling her to do what is right and that is pretty simple. If her friendships are based on lies and deceit about who she is, they aren't friendships. Simple as that. Friendships are based on evaluating a person for who they tell you they are and trusting that evaluation. If a person is deceiving you with smoke and mirrors, how can that ever be a true friendship? What she is really afraid of is that they will see her differently if they know that she deceived them and they won't want to accept her or forgive her. She needs to admit to herself (and to them) that she made a mistake by not trusting that those Christians could be accepting of who she is give those friends an honest apology. They can either take it or leave it at that point. At the end of the day she is the one who has to be able to look at herself in the mirror and face her conscience. As far as how her friends might take it, that depends on them and their own personalities/tolerances. A lot of Christian people can be forgiving and a lot can hold a grudge. It really depends on the individuals in question. Either way, it doesn't really matter how they take it. It is about her squaring things up with herself and everyone else in an honest manner so she isn't living a lie or being fradulent to people who gave her an honest shot at friendship based on something she portrayed to them that she wasn't.
2007-02-12 18:16:25 · answer #1 · answered by Evan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No' that does not make her a liar? if she was to say she was a Christian. when she feels she is not would be the lie. the problem is, She is not sure. you said yourself she wants to have an understanding about the Christian religion. that says right there. that she does not yet understand so she cannot say. you must help her, spend all the time you can. and let her know that you will explain everything to her. she is looking for "Jesus", Help Her.
You will find later that, when she feels that she is a Christian. She will then tell her friends. 'she did not look for Jesus' just to turn her back on him.
But if her friends turn away from her, and she is a true Christian, she will turn to God. she will also turn away from them, because she will know she is right. in this way even some of her old friends will wander and also look for Jesus.
But most of all you will have to explain everything to her.and take your time with her. because remember when you first started learning about Jesus. to understand everything takes time, for the other person, because it is all new to her. and she will also need a little time to think about what you have told her. do not push her. she will learn as you go along. do not get in a hurry. you will find in time she may become the best friend you have ever had.
And do not be shocked if some of her old friends, come asking questions, and also want you to help them find Christian Religion.
God' Bless, You... You are very lucky to have found someone you can help, find God. I know God, will be watching you.
2007-02-20 14:05:45 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She will lose friends. All friendships are based on having something in common. Take that away, and you take away the basis of the friendship. In most cases, anyway; there are exceptions, but they are few.
Does it make her a liar to attend Bible study? Isn't that what Christians want? People to come and hear the "Good News?" The idea of an atheist being a liar for going to Bible study seems antithetical to the idea of all the spreading the word stuff.
2007-02-12 18:18:28 · answer #3 · answered by RabidBunyip 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, if she's in bible study, it must be for a reason. God has a purpose fo all of us. It took me a while to convert to Christianity. My husband took me to Church, and yeah, we had bible study, but that is what helped me to convert. You can't expect someone to be there for a couple of days and be a Christian. It has to come out of them. Besides, some people take longer to undestand, and in order to do that, they have to want to understand. Nothing can be forced. I don't think that she will loose her friendship with the other christian girls. We are all called to tell others about the Lord's word, and to love everyone. Just because she goes to bible study doesn't make her a liar. We all started that way. It starts out with curiosity, and then if it's God's choice to call us, we will feel it.
2007-02-19 07:58:02 · answer #4 · answered by Black Orchid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's not a liar to go to bible study. The doors of Christianity are open to all even the nonbelievers, and it certainly alright for her to learn and explore. In addition, no Christian is without doubt. People's faiths will shake.
As far as her friends--Young generations are generally a bit "cliquey" (they hang out exclusively in little groups--cliques). I don't know whether her friends will drop her or not. But I am sure that her friends do not have all of the answers; they probably also doubt religion--it's only human. They aren't perfect either; no one is perfect. She should just be herself in all situations, and if people don't like it, those people are not worth her time anyway.
2007-02-12 18:20:34 · answer #5 · answered by stagger_lee1974 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First -- any Christians who would end the friendship simply because she is an Atheist are not true friends, nor true Christians.
Going to "Bible Study" to learn what might be the essence of Christianity ("what's so great about it") does not make her a liar. She is seeking information and there is no shame there.
How to help her? If she were my friend, I would encourage her to be true to herself and her beliefs (or non-beliefs) and to continue to search for the truth. The truth must ring true to her, and "faking it" brings no benefit.
I don't know how her friends will take it because I don't know them, but if they abandon her, they are not true friends, therefore she hasn't really lost anything of any value. She is better off with relationships that value her for her worth as a human being, not for her religious beliefs.
2007-02-12 18:23:16 · answer #6 · answered by MyPreshus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is not a religion, if she really find out a good place to adore God, what that mean to a good place is where we call the complete evangelism this mean a place were they doctrine about the Father God, the son Jesus and the Holly spirit. Christianity is a relationship with Jesus not a religion, my advice to her is better lost the friends in this world that lost the soul for the eternity, she will find better friend in church if she found a good church, when I turn in to God I do not care about lost my friend any way majority are hypocrite when people do not the love of God they hypocrites why I should worry to a hypocrites
2007-02-12 18:28:26 · answer #7 · answered by The GOD Vision 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If they are "close to the Lord" Christians, they will love and accept her. If they are "social" Christians then I would be hesitant to reveal this to them. If she really wants to understand "Christianity" then try to get her to talk to Christ for herself in an open honest way. Don't stop going to where the Word is being presented. I have never understood though why people seek the "path" instead of the Person. That is like putting the cart in front of the horse.
2007-02-12 18:22:22 · answer #8 · answered by wd 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Bible study would be a good place to go and learn about the Bible, right? If only Christians go to them, then that's just preaching to the choir. I used to be Christian. If pagans got upset that non-pagans came to Pagan Pride Day, it would seriously limit any new people getting involved.
2007-02-12 18:19:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
if u r christian u will pray and fast and show christ in ur life.
people are sick of speaking they need to see changes in ur own life so they will believe there is a God.
Be a living Bible for others to read and believe.
she is not a liar. if she is going to bible studying thats mean she is seeking God.
2007-02-12 18:21:00 · answer #10 · answered by الحقيقة 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋