How do you...?

Question

What is a nice way to tell your friend that you dont want to be friends with them anymore, because they're shoving their religion down your throat? I mean, shes nice and a great b.f, but because we have a difference in religion(she's christian, im nothing) she keeps on pushing me and pushing me to join hers.

Answer 1

There is no nice way. They are being rude and you have to point this out in a firm manner. Let them know that their behavior will cost them your friendship. Why should you be nice when they are not?

Answer 2

If she's that great a friend, why on earth would you want to end the relaionship? If you want to be kind to her, just tell her that she has planted the seed and maybe that's all God has asked of her.

Did you ever think that she cares deeply for you and she wants you to experience the same joys in this life that she enjoys. She believes in life after death and wants you to share in the ultimate joys she anticipates when we depart this world. She doesn't want you to suffer for all eternity. Is that too hard to understand?

Now ... is she really shoving her beliefs down your throat or do you just refuse to entertain any thought that she might be right?

Answer 3

This is the description of love in the Bible.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

These are the reasons why outsiders to the faith would typically approve or disapprove of Christians.

1 Peter 2:12
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

1 Peter 4:3, 4
For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.

But you didn't mention that it was the clean living lifestyle that you objected to.

So one of your Christian friend's main aims would be, as in James 1:4, to develop perseverance that makes one mature and complete.

I'm guessing that your friend is nothing like a friend. Christians who understand the difference in ethic are loving towards people of all sorts, but they don't really make close friends with them, simply because of the difference in values.

Proverbs 27:6 says: "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."

Proverbs 29:5 says: "Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet."

Proverbs 25:17 says: "Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house— too much of you, and you will be hated."

The problem with Christianity is that, in practice, it runs something like this:
James 4:1-3
"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

However, if she's preaching because you're around, then that is the Christian way.

Answer 4

Sometimes being nice isn't the answer, although I would suggest just coming out and telling her to respect that fact you don't wish to join her religion.
Remind her that as a Christian she should respect others and their choices, even if she doesn't agree with them.

Answer 5

Here's how I'd do it, though having someone tell you they no longer want to be friends is never easy:

"We have been friends for a long time and I truly value your friendship. You have put a lot of pressure on me recently to convert to your religion. Because I'm your friend I think I understand you and I know you are doing this because you really care for me and want what's best for me.

But if you were equally my friend, you'd know how uncomfortable this makes me feel. I need to know we are friends because you like me and care for my feelings. If I have to wonder whether you are my friend because you see me as a soul to save then I can never trust that we are still friends.

If you know me as a friend as I know you then you'll understand that I don't, right now, feel comfortable around you any more. I need friends who like me enough as I am that they won't see every time we get together as a chance to change me. I asked you to stop trying to convert me, you felt you couldn't.

Maybe someday we can renew our friendship on equal terms and get back to the trust and fun. I'm sorry, but for now I think we have to stop hanging out together. I care for you, I want the best for you, too, and the tension your evangelizing is causing isn't best for either of us. Bye."

Answer 6

That's hard.
You have to be strait up with her.
Maybe you don't need to stop being friends but just tell her to CHILL. It's hard when you haven't made up your mind and someone's constantly throwing ideas and religion at you. Tell her strait up: You are your own person and as much as she wants to "save you" you need to make up your own mind on your own time when you're better educated.

Answer 7

Tell her why. I'm a Christian, and I know Christians (and atheists, mormons, JWs, etc, ad nauseum) who think that they're right and I'm wrong, and who don't respect my right to disagree.

If you are uncomfortable with your Christian friend, just tell her why, and she'll understand...if she is living a life surrendered to God.

Answer 8

There is no easy way! Christians are so delusional that they cannot except that there is more out there then their beliefs! Find a new friend.

Answer 9

why not just try to explain to her that although you appreciate that she has such strong beliefs, you feel that she should keep her religion to herself because you do not share the same beliefs and you respect her as a friend to not enforce your beliefs on her.

Answer 10

Don't push her tooo far away because a day will come when you will need her the most!