I used to have all kinds of contacts, atheists, sports guys, psychology people, car enthusiasts, lawn and garden folks, and then I added a couple of christians to my contacts and all of the sudden, every one got their accounts suspended, mine included. So in this latest incarnation, I have gone on a christian bashing rampage that is quite .....unlike me.
So my question is this: How can I have a friend who doesn't share my beliefs and carry on a rational conversation with and not have to worry about the evil green smiley face?
2007-08-18 20:56:07 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
excuse me, Jesus M, but do I understand that you are calling me a son of Satan because I asked this question?
2007-08-18 21:09:48 · update #1
Answer a wise man according to his wisdom & a fool according to his folly
2007-08-19 03:43:48 · answer #1 · answered by Canute 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion and spirituality is a heated topic in and of itself. There are many bad apples in all religions the ruin it for the few who can carry on rational discussions.
I, myself, am a Christian by today's standards but have many different friends of many different beliefs. And although there have been times we have had heated discussions, one thing we have always maintained is a respect for the beliefs of the other. Heated discussions often happen because people are not open to the opinions of others. Everyone wants to point the finger at someone else.
It is not hard to carry on a discussion with a person of a different faith so long as the parties involved do not start with the "I am right and you are wrong". As a true believer in Christ, our responsiblity is not to "convince" others that what we believe is truth. But rather to "put the bug in the ear of someone else". Inform, not dictate.
Each person has a responsibility to rid themselves of their own evils in the heart before they can point the finger at someone else. I can not say that someone else's beliefs or religion or faith is wrong. I can only pray that the Lord will lead me in the direction HE wants me to go...not the way the world wants me to go.
Rational discussions can only come when people are not pointing the finger....
2007-08-19 04:37:28 · answer #2 · answered by Theresa B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I always believe and is a living proof that you can be friends with anyone as long as you have common grounds. As far as religion is concerned, it is never an issue when it comes to making and keeping friends, given that you keep one thing in mind:RESPECT.
Respect that others will have different believes from what you believe, no matter how absurd those believes might seem to you. As much as you feel like 'correcting' them, stop yourself. Beliefs are subjective and should not be questioned, especially if your intention is just to have a conversation with your friend.
I have had a long friendship with 4 of my friends whom all comes from different religious background and culture, and we get along fine. So its not a matter of can or not you be friends with these people, its a matter of can or not you RESPECT the differences in all of you.
P.S: Stopping that bashing could up your credits in the eye of your friends (new or old).
2007-08-19 04:11:04 · answer #3 · answered by frostie1980 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is tough...because many Christians feel better then others. They may lure you in thinking they find something good in you and want to bring you in. ( I do believe in may Christian teachings) I used to practice Christianity a lot more when I was younger. Then I moved out and started to get to know more people that were not in our Church and saw they were good people whether or not they were Christian. Their teachings were that "other" people not in the same faith aren't as good. They would state the worst Christian is still better then the best "worldly" person. I didn't feel that was right. It upset me that they would not accept these people, my friends who understood me and would listen to me whenever I needed. I felt I should do the same. Everyone needs to know different people, different cultures, societies...just different people in general. It's better for conversation.
So yes I do believe people of different faiths can be friends. You just have to know where boundaries lie. I respect everyone's faith, upbringing, different thoughts, different choices, and I don't argue with it. I just state, that's interesting and that's it. Or it's just nice to see a different point of view on things. Keeps you open minded.
From experience, many "TRUE CHRISTIANS" that are hardcore are going to bash on everything from, homosexuality, to politics, womens rights...everything. They tend to be the one's that are the most vocal about what they believe and that's fine. Just know you can't argue or change them. Just state your point and let it go. It they listen fine if they don't move on to another subject.
I've been on both sides, to where I was as we state hardcore Christian where I would not associate with anyone who was homosexual or had a different belief or religion and now... it's great for conversation. ALL people are unique no matter who they are...no matter what they believe.
Just be more cautious. Don't let anyone talk down to you or make you feel bad about what you think, believe or who you are. It's what makes you ... you. If they don't want to accept it then...it's their loss. I lost any so called friends who won't even wave to me anymore if I see them out in public and I literally grew up with them since childhood. Now since I am not a TRUE practicing Christian I am not one of them.
Oh well... life goes on. "whatever doesn't hurt you makes you stronger". Don't let them get to you...their just people with hard heads.
NEXT!!! :)
(oh... The Cure... sweet!)
2007-08-19 04:15:28 · answer #4 · answered by egomezz007 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
OF Course. Maybe I would Not Talk to you about God, (knowing how you feel) But I would Continue to talk to God About You.
I have Friends who are on a "slippery slope", and Carry A Burden In my heart for Them. > They don't know how "much I Pray For Them." ( I do not Have that Green Smiley Face either. Don't need it.)...........
You Can't be Too Happy Bashing People If That Is Not Your Nature..........You know, It takes all Kinds of people to make the world go around? We Have to resort To Loving one another No Matter What. No ONE IS PERFECT.....WE All Make Mistakes. (smile)
2007-08-19 04:19:43 · answer #5 · answered by minnetta c 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, just steer clear of the Christian freaks, I think you pretty much answered your own question!
Atheists, sports guys, psychology people, car enthusiasts, lawn and garden folks = no problems
Add Christians to the mix, big problems!
See! Jesus M! Perfect example!
I'll take those 10 points, thanks very much!
(does anybody else hear Borat's voice when you read Jesus M's answers?)
2007-08-19 04:01:37 · answer #6 · answered by Benjamin Peret 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Damn xians; apparently they've got an invisible sky thingy they like to think helps them crush opposition and although it doesn't exist, obviously, the law of averages, of which they're completely unaware, ensures that sometimes they 'win'.
Just be yourself and make yourself happy; some will gravitate to you; most won't.
It's the standard 80/20 rule. Don't get sucked into spending 80% of your time and energies thinking about the 80% of people who don't like you; just think of them as something you have to put up with like flies and mosquitoes, drunks and road-ragers, and country and western music
.
2007-08-19 05:17:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be more open minded. You dont have to AGREE with a person to be their friend. You can have completely different view points and still enjoy the person for who they are..a person's beliefs are not the only thing that defines them, that is just one part of the make up of who that person is; you can always like different aspects of a person and be passive with the things you dont like about them..that is how people make and keep friends. If we all had to agree with each other 100% then we would all have to be clones. B O R I N G ! ! !
2007-08-19 04:02:59 · answer #8 · answered by Nae 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm fine, my closest friends are a Christian, a Lutheran, and a Mormon, and my fiance is Atheist. I'm Agnostic, and we all get along great. Not believing in the same things doesn't cause us problems at all.
2007-08-19 03:59:56 · answer #9 · answered by mathaowny 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
friends have respect 4 each other. Just 'cause we aren't clones does not we cannot be friends with a variety of people.
How does one learn if one does not listen?
If the people of this world were all on the same page, life would be pretty boring................NO?
2007-08-19 04:06:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋