You guy probably all read my last question. I have a friend (not a really close friend, but an old one) who is suddenly super zealous about her faith.
And I'm happy for her. I know she knows I'm not Christian, but we haven't really talked about it. Online however she posts all this stuff about feeling sorry for people that aren't "saved". And how there is only one truth- hers.
Do you think she'd even want to be friends with me still if she realized I am a nature-worshipping Pantheistic Pagan?
Do you think if she did it would only be in the hopes of converting me someday?
After all, doesn't the Bible say not to be "unequally yoked" or something like that?
I've lost other people to Jesus, and I never denied them their faith, it's just that I didn't share it. It's really sad to me. I'm scared this will happen again. What should I do?
2007-12-14 17:49:46 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sorry, you guys**
2007-12-14 17:50:00 · update #1
Should I just make it easy for her and give up the friendship?
2007-12-14 17:53:25 · update #2
From the way she talks I definitely don't think she would accept my own beliefs and be happy for me as I am for her. She'd think I was being fooled by satan or something.
2007-12-14 17:54:14 · update #3
Tom, I have no interest in becoming a Christian. That's in my past, and it's definitely not happening. That doesn't mean I'm not happy for her.
2007-12-14 17:56:35 · update #4
Brent- I'm happy she's found happiness in her religion. She has, and there's nothing wrong with that other than this new attitude of having the only truth.
2007-12-14 17:58:14 · update #5
Some hardcore Christians are Christ-like enough to be friends with non-Christians. I would hope that she realizes that you are the same person that you were before her becoming "saved" and does not try to do the same to you.
What you have experienced before may repeat, but I would still keep the doors of communication open from your end. She may walk through them some day
2007-12-14 17:55:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anne Hatzakis 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If she became a true Christian, she would still want to be your friend. Christianity doesn't change that. The thing that might change, if you were really close friends, is the level of that friendship.
Personally, I have non-Christian friends, but my close friends are all Christians that believe the same way I do. That wasn't intentional, but don't you want your closest friends to share your beliefs? I mean, I don't want advice from a friend that would tell me something totally different from the way I believe and have chosen to live my life.
Once a person actually encounters Jesus, yes they do hope that everyone they care about can have that same experience. I would hope that your friend has the maturity to be sensitive about how she expresses that to you. I know that in my early days I didn't do so well at that. I lost some friends because I was over eager to share the wonderful thing that had happened to me.
I have seen the questions you post here, and you appear to be someone that is actually seeking understanding, so I am guessing that you can try to understand where your friend is coming from. Try to see things from her perspective. If she doesn't handle the relationship right, it may be too hard, but if you are both mature, there is no need for it to end completely.
2007-12-14 22:52:28 · answer #2 · answered by BaseballGrrl 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It really depends. I wouldn't call my self a hardcore Christian but I'm a man of faith. But I'm friends with atheists and people from other religions. I don't go around forcing my beliefs down people's throats and they do the same.
2015-11-22 06:29:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love hang'n with others that don't share my beliefs. Jesus spent most of his adult life with those that did not know him, these people were very and are very important to him of whom he loved dearly. A new christian can be very very excited and expressive but may not have had time to learn appropriate social conduct when sharing with friends. Remember we Christians should not ever convert anyone because it is only by their choice and the work of God's Holy Spirit that they are saved. Many religions convert others by intimidation and worse, God's gift is free to you by your choice and not others. "Unequally yoked" is terminology for the christian seeking to be married and is only a warning of the problems that can arise in the relationship and with parenting children together, this does not apply to other types of relationships. The concept of there being only "one truth" is an interesting piece of logic in itself. If I were to challenge you hypothetically with a glass of water saying, "I believe this is pure petroleum and it is not water." You might reply,"No, that is most definitely water!" I might say,"Well that's your 'truth' and I have my 'truth'." You know that it's actually water and I better not be putting it into my Honda! You know that there is only one truth concerning that. Try applying that thinking process to everything and ask,"Can there be more than one truth?" Logically there is only one truth, but you have to use your free will and decide what that truth is. When you decide what that, is you won't want to shove your knew knowledge into others faces, but to share it with others and have a strong faith about it. After all how solid is "your truth" to yourself if you allow multiple truths to exist? I pray that your friend will place no expectations on you and realize that this is your choice, between you and God only. Take care of yourself! (good start to read: "Romans" in the Bible)
2007-12-14 18:19:24 · answer #4 · answered by CHANDLER W 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you should talk with her openly about it since she is your friend. Tell her that you support her in her choice to become a Christian but that you do not wish to become one yourself but that you really want to still be friends. It will be hard because she has found great joy in coming to know Jesus and she wants to share it and wishes for people to have the happiness she has found so perhaps it could be a two way street where you offer to tell her things about your religion and ask for her to share with you but also set the ground rule of 'no fighting' that you both should just listen to understand. Both of you could go to an ALPHA group together. It's an introduction to the christian faith where you go for supper (1 night a week for 10 weeks) and watch a video presentation and then break into small groups for discussion. The cool thing is that all opinions are welcomed and it's supposed to be a safe environment to discuss stuff. and you could share the important things about your faith as well. you might be surprised that there may be some similarities.
2007-12-14 17:58:14 · answer #5 · answered by bastian915 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I know what you mean. I have friends also who once they found out I had no plans of converting to Christian - they all faded away. I'm happy for them too but sometimes, the Christian doctrine to be 'fishers of men' fails when Christians decide to fish among Christians only. Some of them don't even practice what they preach and become "holier than thou" opinionated people.
2007-12-14 18:42:58 · answer #6 · answered by Equinox 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im probably what you would call a hardcore christian and i have lots of friends that are atheists, pagans, and muslims. if your friend doesnt want to accept you as you are, then maybe its better for you to not be friends with her any more. its good to be zealous about your faith but you have to have some balance in your life. many new christians go off the deep end like this. they usually calm down over time though.
2007-12-14 18:13:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
No. Im a hardcore Christian .... but I have a lot of friends who dont want to hear about Jesus while were at the club on Saturday night .... so I dont bring it up then. But if were casually out at lunch or dinner and they inquire what I did the previous day (for the most part, I was probaly at Bible study) and I'll simply state that I was at Bible study and they'll begin to ask what did I learn
As Christians were supposed to "save (help people realize the purose of their life), equip (give them the neccisary information and answer their questions), and send (to evalgenize the world"
2007-12-14 17:59:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Watch yourself with her. For your friend tell her that your happy that she has found her path but that you see things differently. Chances are she probably would not want to continue the friendship if she knows that your Pagan. If she is as hardcore as you say she is, just watch her comments. She might be trying to change you to her views later on. Good luck!
2007-12-14 18:45:48 · answer #9 · answered by Saturn554 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am a christian and I have friends, family and co/workers that are not . That does not keep me from being able to have a loving relationship with them. In my faith, I believe you are to love one another as Christ loves the church. I am able to interact with them and hang out with them with out being there judge and jury. However if the oppertunity comes up for me to share my faith with someone, then I will; but only in a gentle, loving and caring way that is pleasing and not offensive. Also, if neccessary I will gently rebuke someone for example if they are cursing too much or something like that. I may share my faith with someone and tell them alittle bit about God if I feel led to do so; but in the end it is up to the person to do with it what they will. Yet none of these things keeps me from being able to have healthy relationships with my friends. A good friend is one that knows all about you and loves you anyway, right? <'))))><
2007-12-14 18:06:40 · answer #10 · answered by MellaBella 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋