As a Christian is it really impossible for males and females to be friends?

Question

Is it really impossible for males and females to be friends?

Well, to start out I will say that my husband is my best friend, but that isnt what the question is asking. The question is talking about a male and female who are not married being friends.

Is the trend toward intimate friendships between single men and women a good thing? I don't think it is. I'm not a big fan of opposite-sex buddies. Intimate friendships between men and women almost always produce confusion and frustration for at least one of the parties involved. Close friendships tend to involve much time talking and hanging out one-on-one. They tend to involve a deep knowledge of the other person's hopes, desires, wishes, dreams and personality. They tend to involve the sharing of many aspects of each person's daily lives and routines. In other words, they tend to involve much of the of intimacy and companionship involved in and meant for marriage.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I too find it hard for myself to be "friends" with men in general, especially since I got married. I tend to steer away from male contact because I have come to the conclusion that men are only interested in one thing,sex! It doesn't matter if your married to a guy because, he sees you as a challenge. I am going to protect my heart and stay away for males. This doesn't mean I don't say hi to them. It just means I don't talk much to them or give them eye contact. If you look in your bible or Torah you can read about this topic. I can't answer this question for you because you are an individual and we all have different ideas. I have read a pamphlet on this subject from the Mennonite church and they have really good points. You can do a search on yahoo and find this pamphlet on a web site by typing in: Mennonite +male female relations

Answer 2

Nothing is impossible with God. It is quite difficult, but if both people are careful, and know their limitations and intentions, it can work. But once again, they must be very careful. Spending a lot of time alone is not good. If they are both single, there is no harm in it if they keep their hands off each other. But you're right. Confiding in each other, sharing their hopes and dreams, fears and joys does create intimacy. It's a situation that has to be handled with extreme caution. If either is married, pursuing a friendship with a member of the opposite sex is asking for serious trouble.

Answer 3

Any Muslim is not advised to marry person who does not believe on The God Almighty as One true God without partner. Any Muslim supposed to propose sincerely and seriously a believer not non-believer, or Mushrik ( who share some one with The God Almighty by any means). In Islam there is no other religious denominations. Yes there may some political differences you may find, some people consider as religious differences. Qura'n and Sunnah are there to resolve differences and ultimately there shouldn’t be any major problem. Unfortunately some of our Muslim people forgets Prophets Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad were just Muslims no shia, no Sunni or other sects. Same applies with successors of Prophet Muhammad, First to fourth Caliphs, Abu Bakar (r.a.), Umar (r.a), Usman (r.a), and Ali (r.a) were simple Muslims, neither Sunni nor Shiaa. If any one of them said at any occasion I am Sunni or Shiaa I will consider Religious denominations are acceptable. But luckily there is no such example, All Muslims are Muslims only. Now if a Muslim proposes you and accepts you as wife he is bound to respect what you are, even if he finds some differences later. He should be respectful and accommodating with you and you also have same responsibility as Muslim. Divorce is last and least option available, but halal option.

Answer 4

So you are talking buddies are bed partners stuff,Right?They share everything that would go into a relationship except the commitment to each other.They are "Friends" with benefits.Yes I do agree with you.That should be reserved for a marriage.But on the other hand a lot of these types have turned into marriage too.They just fool themselves into thinking they aren't "more"From the aspect of my religious belief.I think that all the "Fun" should be reserved for the marriage.The purpose of being with your spouse and growing together with God as a foundation in your marriage.Not sex as the foundation.But that is my belief and some people are perfectly content to do other wise.I have tons of friends who are guys,none of who I share "benefits" with,a couple special ones who know me better then I do some times.Still no Benefits LOL.I think the "benefits" tend to confuse the relationships and you can't see it clearly.It's good to know there are a few of us die hards still out there.

Answer 5

I am friends with several guys. It is an intellectual thing and nothing else. Maybe you aren't able to be friends with a guy without it being sexual, but some of us are capable of that. Single men and women need each other. There are some things around the house that I can't do and I have male friends that will do things for me and expect nothing in return. However, I usually cook them dinner and get them a 12 pack. It is not impossible.

Answer 6

As a married woman, i have no problem with my husband having female (single or married) friends. And he has no problem with my male (single and married) friends. As a matter of fact, one of our mutual friends confides in me many things he will tell no one else. I act as his sounding board and, when needed, his shoulder to cry on. He is not married. I don't see what the problem is with a platonic friendship like this between a man and a woman. In todays world, with all of the homosexuality that is being condoned, couldn't you also ask this question of 2 men or 2 women. Such intimacies are not necessarily intended for marriage. What about the people that never marry, or are widowed or divorced for years. Who are they supposed to confide in since they have no spouse? You have to grown up enough to be able to handle and accept a platonic relationship between 2 people.

Answer 7

I think that you are right in a way. It is very confusing, sometimes. But, if both of you are Christians and you just genuinely like each other and neither one of you is attracted to the other sexually, then you can make it work. IF someone in the friendship EVER felt attracted to the other sexually, then it wouldn't work. In a friendship between the opposite sexes, the guidelines must be clearly set.

Answer 8

No this is not a good thing. The marriage relationship is intended to be exclusive and intimate in every way. relationships with members of the opposite sex should be very limited out of deep respect and great caution to never ever violate the intimacy and privacy of the marital union.

Answer 9

I think you're overthinking the concept of the whole thing. I have lots of guys who are friends, and just that. Yeah, a few relationships have come out of it, but all have ended, and guess what, we're still friends.

There's a ginormus difference between Platonic love and true love.

Answer 10

so are you a fan of same sex buddies? :)

It's not impossible for men and women to be just friends. It kind of hinges on what the man and the woman want out of their relationship between the two of them though. There has to be the same mindset.