This is what my conservative Christian friend said to me....?

Question

As usual, my friend and I we were discussing religion and the meaning of life. Basically, she said that God is why she is here and what makes her truly happy. My agnostic self responded, "Well, aren't there other things to live for? Like love, or happiness, or peace?" She said these things are all important, but that "They mean nothing without God." I felt hurt for a second, but then I just felt bad for her; falling in love should be more carefree than that. And she should have a level of happiness and peace within HERSELF. (When I said this, she looked at me like I was crazy). Also, I was sad to learn that night that she believes that Christians should only marry other Christians. (No big surprise, but way to limit yourself, my friend). It's interesting how Christians always speak of the strength that God gives them, when all they're doing is seeking approval and looking for the correct answer to everything. Which is pretty weak.

Do you believe that love isn't real without God?

Hey, Flandargo, my definition is the exact same thing as yours. It's just not as bigoted.

A. S. S.

I understand why Christians marry other Christians, jeez. I want to hear your views on "God is love." I don't believe this. I can find love without faith; anyone can.

Answer 1

For some people, Christianity is a drug. They simply can't function from day to day without thinking that there is a magical invisible all-powerful Being watching over them, telling them what to do every moment of the day. It's really sad.

Answer 2

well i do agree with her on the Christians marrying only christians. Actually it doesn't limit anything, it makes the field almost easier to narrow down if you marry someone that you know has the same beliefs and goals and hopes as you. Will keep lots more peace in the family if both sides are working on the same page. And we can definitely have love happiness and peace in our lives, absolutely! And if we're living in a way that we ourselves feel are pleasing to God, it makes it that much better.

It's not about seeking any kind of approval, humility was a quality of Jesus we should all try to incorporate on some level, and I feel finding out answers to important matters are okay. Taking a stand for what you believe in is a strength, not a weakness. I believe that God helps us to appreciate and love things even more based on the free will, knowledge and creation and hope for the future he provides for us.

Answer 3

Funny, I was reading this and I felt sad too...for you. You are the one that has the limitation. You think it is all about you and your feelings. That does not sound right for your "belief." Also you seem to be a woman that wears her feelings on her sleeve (no surprise there either).

Your friend is right. Love, happiness and peace all flow from God. Without God you live in a poor reflection of what life really should be. She found herself in God.

Why should love be carefree? You like disease? Why should you throw your feelings around to any one that feels horny?

As a Christian why should she seek love from a person that does not care or believe the same way she does. How happy, peaceful, and loving can constant bickering about religion and all it means day in and day out? See how it was for you and your friend? Imagine having to sleep with that person.

Seeking approval of the higher power is weak? It takes strength to believe in a higher power. Especially with friends like you belittling them. Read up on those martyrs for the cause and ask yourself why did they choose to keep believing knowing they were going to die? Not might die...would die! Do not talk about strength you do not know the first thing about it.

I know this sounds harsh and to some extent it is, but attitude and smug remarks warrent it.

Oh, love is not real without God.

Answer 4

This is my thoughts as a Christian you understand love a little differently. True love is unconditional, Love does not mean you have to have something back to give it. alot of people seek for sometthing back you might not, i dont' know you. Love is patient and kind. Not prideful, or boastful.

When a Christian marries outside of the faith what happens is the other partner often does not understand their faith in fact become intolerant in someways. It is kind of like the dividing line in your friendship. Even though you like your friend and vice versa there is always going to be a religious division. I would not be surprised if you friend can not do some of the things you do because of her faith but that does not mean your friendship can not exist. But eventually your friendship would end when one passes on. That breaks every Christian heart to know when an unsaved friend never came to know Christ.

Answer 5

I wonder is she really your friend? You say you want her to be happy and it seems like she is. Why would you want to change that?

Most religions believe in staying within their own religion because different opinions will lead you away from the facts you believe. We see this in the Bible when King Solomon married foreign wives they cause him to stray from God and sacrifice to idols.

God is love. True love. He loves you and without him you will never know true love. You think you do but you can't know until you experienced it.

There was a time when I did not follow God, after I accepted Jesus in my life I then knew what true love is. I can say this because I don't know who you are, I never met you. But I can feel a love for your soul as strong as I ever felt for anyone. Jesus loves you and wants you to accept him. Wont you be my brother or sister in Christ.

May the love of God have mercy on you.

A concerned Christian

Answer 6

God says He is love. There are various types of love, for example agape love. God's love is unconditional love for us...it does not depend upon what we do for Him...or if we are good-looking. In fact, while we were still sinners, deserving eternal hell for our sins, He loved us so much, He sent His only Son to pay for our sins with His life.
Christians believe this, and glorify God the Father by placing their faith (trust and obedience) in Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. We live our life by His grace, for we do not deserve to live because of sin. We are in profound gratitude for saving us from the second death, i.e. the lake of fire. We voluntarily choose to be Christ's servant...to be obedient to His commands. This is the love your friend is talking about.
We recognize God's involvement in every area of our life, including in picking our mate. The Bible warns us against being unequally yolked -- that is marrying a non-Christian -- there are difficulties. That is why your friend only wants to marry another Christian...it comes from a Biblical warning to if you want to have peace in your marriage.
At one time I too felt like you. But, I am over 40 and just starting to really trust in God in my life for decisions. I can tell you that for the first time I have the peace that Christ said would come...the peace that passes understanding...the peace that does not depend upon my lot or my circumstances. And through that peace, I have a happiness that cannot find an equal. There is nothing more carefree than knowing you are right with the Lord and in His will.

Answer 7

I believe that God is Love and Life itself and that all these things involve God whether we know it or not. There is nothing wrong with enjoying things in life because God has a part in all of it. I know that Paul in the Bible recommends Christians marrying other Christians but he also says it's okay to marry non-Christians.

Answer 8

You don't need an imaginary guy up in the sky to find love. Just look at all the horrible unloving things god does in the bible. How could anyone think that he is a loving god. I mean he burns his creation in a lake of fire for enternity for not believing in him! That's not love. "Faith is believing what you know ain't so" Mark Twain

Answer 9

Your friend is correct. Everything we do and have in life that is given to us by God. Some of us have more than others. Some of us are still learning how to live as a Christian. Christians are supposed to marry only Christians because the Bible says be not unevenly yoked. Meaning if a Christian marries a non-Christian, they will not have that special bond of matrimony together they should have. Like being able to pray together, attend church together, raise their children with the same beliefs together. Love and marriage were given to us by the Father.

Answer 10

if you read Ecclesiastes, the frist 4 chapters, you understand why life is meaningless without God. unless you have agape love, I don't believe your life is complete.

and as for the christians only maryying christians thing, it's a biblical principle
a) because God doesn't want His followers drawn away to idols like Solomon was
b) there's a few less things to argue about
c) the children aren't drawn between two faiths

and everyone seeks the correct answer for everything. most people seek justification for everything.

Answer 11

I'm Atheist and I have to say that the love I have for my husband is incredibly real.

Put it this way....

I love Canada. I love my family, I love my home. It breaks my heart to leave them to go to a foreign country (the United States) where the people are so aggressive, aggravating and dangerous, and where they're obviously ill educated. I can't concieve of why the US is the most powerful nation in the world. Yet they are also incredibly passionate and strong (which are very good things in my book).

And yet... I'm leaving. I'm moving to the United States to be by my loves side. I love him so much that I'm willing to leave behind everything I love the most to be beside him.

THAT is love.