i am an atheist, should i permanantly cut off my 'born again' friend?

Question

I have a good friend who has just turned 'born again', she is basically stopped using her brain and logic. Its sad to see her full of guilt, regretting all the little 'sin' she has done in the past e.g. go to the bar, flirt with guys... she also makes me feel i am 'bad' and 'sinner'.. I can't be with people of this mentality, living based on fear - the lowest frequency of emotion. Should i just cut her off because i don't want to be friend with a brain dead? (she is no longer the former person anymore, she talks to God while washing dishes)..

Answer 1

I'm agnostic now but a few years ago I was "born again" and I was basically the same way, like passing judgement on others based on my religion. Eventually though people realize that they can't change people and that judgement isn't theirs to pass. she should eventually realize that there are very bad people who are "good christians" and that just being a nice person is the best anyone can do. And talking to god while she does the dishes? Hmmmm... I guess it's time to worry when god starts talking back...

Answer 2

I'll start by letting you know that I am a Christian. No matter what our beliefs are or aren't we are all on this earth together and somehow need to learn to live together. If you really were her friend before she started her relationship with God, then why would you stop now? Just because she's no longer exactly like you? I have friends who are atheist, Jewish, Jehovah Witness, all very different views. But they are still people that I value, not because of how they do or don't worship, but because of who they are. We are all more than our beliefs, our likes and dislikes. I'll agree that there are groups of people who call themselves christians, but truely are not, they are extremists, they take one portion of God's word and distort it, take it to the extreme and use it out of context. Now, since you don't believe in God, do you believe in being the best person you can be, making good sound choices for yourself and those you love? If you do, then dropping someone who you call a friend is the opposite of that. P.S. If she is treating you poorly or judging you for your past or choices, remind her that if she believes in God, then she also believes God is the only one who has the privilege to judge others. Ask her to please read Matthew Chapter 7 Verse 1 and Verse 12, also Luke Chapter 6 Verse 37. Enough said. Have a great day, and I wish you both well.

Answer 3

Don't cut her off. You guys may have different religious views but if you were real friends, things shouldn't change. She's probably just excied with these changes in her life, (being "born again"), and she'll probably start acting more like herself soon. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying she'll start with the sinning and stuff again, she just might not talk so much about religion, and I'm sure she'll catch on that your not that into listening. Respect her new beliefs, and know shes still the same person, but make sure she respects you too, and isn't making you feel bad purposely. I hope you can work things out.

Answer 4

listen i have been called cut off, like biblically
but it means nothing to me.
if it only means the person won't talk to me again, good because i don;t care for that kind of talk.
but if she talks too herself or God while doing dishes don't hold it against her, many people hear voices within and without there head. some go on to shoot 5 people, but most accept that someone has put a wire in their head and that the voice on the other side of the radio wants to be obeyed like God was.

but tell your freind to look at my blog. available by clicking on the photo and looking at the 360 profile. because in it i can show how 13 different languages used their holy word for God to describe Me.

should they request a better look, ie a jpeg image that shows how DIO= DI .n u, they they must email Me at [e-mail]
cause i won't spam the thing.
because if you see the jpeg, you can learn how

Allah=God=GOTT=SHANGDI=I AM=BOG=bor=...

etc...
and the scary thing is when God listens and responds.
cause even though i hate to say it, God exists. But i just can't beleive He created the planet.

Answer 5

Jealousy is for boneheads with no self-esteem. Join them if you want! But I don't know how ANYONE could go from being an atheist to a "born again" and not be pulling people's legs. .

Answer 6

Are you sure she isn't just developing symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia? Anyway, a little bit of guilt never hurt anyone, and I don't think that it is really a proper idea to abandon a friend based upon their beliefs. If she starts condemning you for being an atheist, or anything else, then you can feel free to sever bonds, but, until that point, you may just want to see if you can help salvage portions of friend's former personality...it'll still be there, it's just in hiding...

Answer 7

usually, new converts go extreme for a while--but why leave? Are you afraid she'll convert you?
Why not talk about something other than philosophy or religion--both of which, by the way, go hand-in-hand until the "enlightenment" period, which sparked heads to fall and chaos to reign in France. Not very enlightened nor logical...
If you are an athiest, you belong to a religion that BELIEVES there is absolutely NO WAY that a First Cause could exist--not very Platonic nor Aristotelean--founders of logic...might change your position to agnostic.

Answer 8

Couldn't you just not talk about your different faiths. Also could you maybe respect her choice ? This is very important to her it seems. I'm sure you feel just as strong about your faith. It wll be very hard since your faiths are so different I hope theres a way, But, I have to say that when one believes in God and one doesn't it is nearly impossible. Please don't call her brain dead because she found Jesus. What if she called you brain dead because of your faith ? Would you feel good about that? Would it be fair to either.of you ? If you can't agree on anything then maybe you should set some ground rules. I hate to see good friends split ,But, isn't it only fair for her to believe her way ,AS it is for you to believe your way ? Please think about it .

Answer 9

Be swift to hear and slow to judge.I being also a Christian and I'm always wondering where are you'll seeing these fearful Christian full of guilt and regret.I was going to say you should not leave your friend but after hearing you talk about her I think she might be much better without you.By the way you're downgrading her it seems to me the fear is with you.

Answer 10

Deprogramming an option?

If not, carry around a Richard Dawkins book and ask her to read it with you every time she goes holy roller on you.

When she gets huffy, tell her, "(Name), I like you, but I don't believe the same stuff you do. If you can't accept that, let me know. I wont keep asking you to look at this if you don't keep pushing what you believe on me, can we do that? If you want me to believe like you do, let me come to it in my own way. If I do, you will be the first person that I ask for guidance. I just can't be pulled into a faith structure, though. Can you live with that?"

Or, pretend to go Hindu.