Be honest. Most religions teach followers to accept your fellow brother/sister and to allow God himself to pass judgement onto them. If the atheist is kind and generous would that [ the fact that he/she doesn't believe in God] still prevent you from getting befriending him/her ?
2007-03-13 05:11:42 · 53 answers · asked by Suz E. Home BAKER 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I've befriended several. They're the kindest and most honest folk, since they don't need to be threatened with hell and bribed with heaven in order to be good people.
2007-03-13 05:14:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 1⤋
DUDE YES IT'S OK! I'm a Christian and I have relationships with TONS of atheists. Jesus is a relational God. It's not a religion, it's a relationship, so we should imitate this. People don't care what you know until they know that you care. You can't bring people to Christ if you can't show an atheist love. They need friends as much as we do. I think the only way you can really witness to an atheist is if you know them, their lives, and their struggles. You have no right to tell them to change their hearts if you have invested no time in caring about them. The sinners flocked to Jesus. You are no better than them, they just don't know God yet.
2007-03-13 05:17:54 · answer #2 · answered by Mrs. Eric Cartman 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why do you speak of atheists like they are a different species? Don't get too close, the atheist might get you!!! Obviously, I'm an atheist but I have a lot of Christian friends. We have managed to stay friends because they don't spend every hour of every day throwing bible passages at me. If you want to befriend an atheist, don't talk about religion.
2007-03-13 05:20:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing that should keep you from being their friend unless you don't like them. I know that they may be different but their personal beliefs are between them and God. Jesus gave his life to teaching others and changing souls. Now his work would have been for not if he didn't go out to the non-believers and preach. It should not be an issue in a friendship unless it is your personal mission to bring that person to Christ. But you have to do what you think is right bass upon your personal agenda
2007-03-13 05:25:37 · answer #4 · answered by Jon T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes!
I work hard to be kind and generous. I contribute to my community, give to the poor, raise my children to be polite and courteous and responsible. And my atheist friends are the same way.
I am, in fact, an atheist, and I find that it became easier to live a moral life when I began to do it because it makes my life work better instead of doing it because I'll go to hell if I don't.
2007-03-13 05:16:47 · answer #5 · answered by Behaviorist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no problems befriending an atheist, and I feel I have befriended many of YA. I choose not to judge others who may have different beliefs than I do, and I try to listen with an open mind, in hopes of learning.
2007-03-13 05:15:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I had a 3 year relationship with a wonderful man who was an atheist. He may have not believed in God, but he had a strong personal moral code.
2007-03-13 05:23:02 · answer #7 · answered by Julia Sugarbaker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not see why that should be a problem. I know that as an atheist, I will sometimes befriend christians and wiccans despite their silly fairy tale beliefs. It's important not to be too prejudiced and narrowminded in life.
2007-03-13 05:21:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can befriend him/her to the extent that he doesn't start trying to make you an atheist. On the other hand you should befriend this person to try to make some sense into him/her to start believing in the Supreme for his/her own benefit. If he/she doesn't listen you may continue to be his/her friend at a distance.
2007-03-13 05:18:07 · answer #9 · answered by edcaimo 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is straying from the teachings (any - around the world, IMO) to not befriend a kind and generous person - regardless of faith.
~ Eric Putkonen
2007-03-13 05:17:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I admit I hadn't met any atheists before this forum and didn't know too much about them. Now, I regret that; most of them are great people. I would definitely befriend them and I would be honored of their friendship. And I'm not just saying that.
2007-03-13 05:25:55 · answer #11 · answered by E.T.01 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋