How Important Are Religious Beliefs Or The Lack Of Religious Beliefs When You're Making Friends?

[1mintjulep]

My partner is agnostic, and most of my friends historically have been atheist or agnostic (I'm a Buddhist). But over the last couple of years, I've gotten pickier about who my friends are. I just have more to talk about with someone who is either Buddhist or some other form of Eastern spirituality than I do with a Christian or an atheist.

[PurpleLove08]

I don't consider it a big deal unless they let their religion influence their voting habits...which in turn affects my life.
You can be a christian all you want but when it comes time to vote on whether same-sex couples should have legal protections...either don't vote at all or vote yes. If you voted no, we really shouldn't be friends.

I don't seek out Christian friends and generally avoid talking to the obvious pentecostal females who attend my school. If you're wearing a long skirt and your hair is in a bun...you're more than likely a pentecostal and you hate me because I'm gay. It's just an automatic thought.

I live in the south and a lot of people say, "God bless you" or "bless you" to random strangers. I work at Wal-Mart and customers sometimes say, "Bless You" or "God bless you" after a transaction. Some ask what church I attend or if I'm saved...as if it's any of their damn business.
It generally pisses me off and I'm about to start giving them a piece of my mind.

I've had people shun me after they find out I'm a lesbian or an atheist...I don't see why I can't do the same when it comes to Christians. Until they prove they aren't a part of the Religious Right...we have very little in common.

[jdelarosa7]

The word of god is clear we don't have to try to convert our friends to christianity because the bible speaks by it self if we do not accept christ we know that we will perish and won't be saved.john 3;17

[achickenchaser]

Unless someone is really pushy about it, religious beliefs really don't matter to me. I know most of my long time friends were brought up to be religious similar to how I was. Some go to church, some don't. I honestly don't know exactly where they stand when it comes to what they believe, because none of us make religion/God a topic of conversation.

Sometimes silence can be golden when it comes to certain things.

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by jdelarosa7

The word of god is clear we don't have to try to convert our friends to christianity because the bible speaks by it self if we do not accept christ we know that we will perish and won't be saved.john 3;17

Obviously not everyone got that memo

[cncracer]

I think it depends on if they like to debate, have thick skinned and are smart. If they expect me to pull punches than I don’t see any need to go beyond a casual acquaintance. If they like to debate the issues based on history and reality; I will set up a bedroom for them, and spar all night long. I love to hear new views and ideas, but hate to see someone fall back on fiction from the bible.

[Call]

Originally Posted by MontanaGuy

This has been a bit long winded but does anyone else feel the way that I do?

Yes, with the exception that I am no longer an atheist.

[YankeyProud]

That is the way it is here in Central Arkansas, the thing is you wouldn't have been hired here in the first place!