A question for Christians...

[florida-again]

I am Jewish and have just made a new friend at college who is a orthodox christian and talks passionately about christianity.

I haven't yet told her that I'm Jewish....

I grew up in a predomintely Jewish community so I'm still growing accustomed to people's reactions to finding our I'm Jewish (reactions have been both good and bad)

Do you think if I told her it would affect her view of me? I don't my religion to affect our friendship, she's such a nice girl!

 

[helenabear]

That's honestly not something I could say would be religion specific. I have many friends of different religions (or lack of too) and most of the time it never even comes up, let alone makes a difference in our friendship.

Granted I tend to be more guarded with my religion than some, but unless it comes up, I doubt I would tell her what I am anyway (like if she doesn't specifically ask).

And is she does have an issue, I wouldn't think she was a good friend in the first place.

 

[Talking Hands]

I think you should be honest with her. If she isn't comfortable with you being Jewish then she really isn't going to be a good friend in the long run. Do be prepared for her to witness to you.

 

[Cindyluwho]

Bottom line: If they don't want to continue the friendship or they disrespect you because of your religion, they're not the kind of folks you want as friends. People like that are just plain scary!

 

[Lil_Tink]

ITA, I have a muslim friend, she is my best friend. I actually enjoy learning about her holidays, as she does mine. She even celebrates XMAS. I think that if she is really a good friend, she will understand your differences.

 

[noseybuddy]

I am Jewish and have just made a new friend at college who is a orthodox christian and talks passionately about christianity.

I haven't yet told her that I'm Jewish....

I grew up in a predomintely Jewish community so I'm still growing accustomed to people's reactions to finding our I'm Jewish (reactions have been both good and bad)

Do you think if I told her it would affect her view of me? I don't my religion to affect our friendship, she's such a nice girl!

If it does, your better off without her as a friend.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am not sure what you mean by 'orthodox' Christian.

However, I do agree with the others who have posted.

People who feel so passionately, as you have described, sometimes find it hard to not draw 'lines' and 'conclusions' based on religion. These kinds of feelings are very deep rooted.

I would let her know. Not making any big deal. But let her know that you are of Jewish faith and/or heritage.

If it does work out, please understand that she may still be a nice girl. But, these religious issues can be difficult for many. It does not mean that Christian's or Jew's are 'intolerant'.

 

[JennInTN]

Friendship is friendship. I say share your religion and your culture. You may learn even more about each other.

We, the human race, have so much to share with one another.

 

[ford family]

If you were writing from the US then I would be more inclined to think your friend would be tolerant of your religious differences because Americans are much more exposed to and aware of religion.
However, in the UK there is far less adherence to religion and those that do follow a particular faith keep it to themselves and do not tend towards what Americans call "witnessing". The fact that your friend talks passionately about Christianity would certainly ring alarm bells with me. It sounds like she belongs to a cult or is a born again Christian.

Tread carefully and good luck

ford family

 

[SplashLover93]

Most of my friends at dance who ive known for ever are Jewish did i know that a long time ago nope and onced i learned i really didn't care and im Catholic i think the Jewish religion is really interesting and one of my friends invited me to her Bat mitzvah and i went and it was fun and it doesn't bother me at all there Jewish just tell her if shes like most christians she would still be your friend if she doesn't want to be your friend its her loss not yours thats my view

 

[disykat]

I think many "religious" people find it easy to be close friends with other "religious" people. It doesn't matter what the religion IS, they have something in common in that they can understand the depth of their conviction. I don't think it will matter to her, and if it does do you want her for a friend?

 

[Feralpeg]

Friendship shouldn't be dependant on your religious preference.

 

[laurabelle]

I didn't become a Christian until I was an adult and I have actually had quite a few Jewish friends come into my life since then (as well as other ethnic/religious backgrounds including atheists) and I love them all! I hope your friendship is true and lasting...

 

[Lessa of Pern]

I am Jewish and have just made a new friend at college who is a orthodox christian and talks passionately about christianity.

I haven't yet told her that I'm Jewish....

I grew up in a predomintely Jewish community so I'm still growing accustomed to people's reactions to finding our I'm Jewish (reactions have been both good and bad)

Do you think if I told her it would affect her view of me? I don't my religion to affect our friendship, she's such a nice girl!

at my daughter's bat mitzvah there were people of many different faiths...many of her friends are Catholic, many of her friends are Protestant.

as long as she respects your religion and you respect hers, you've got a solid friendship.

 

[chell]

Tell her. If she is a true friend it will not matter. In my opinion it shouldn't matter at all.

 

[Forevryoung]

I have been heading towards becoming an observant Jew (slow changes in my life over the past few years even though I grew up Jewish).

My roommate my freshman and sophomore years of college was Catholic- very Catholic... She had NEVER met a Jewish person before. She was from a small town in Louisiana, her brother is a minister, she went to a private school, she is very shy and very conservative (I never saw her and her boyfriend do anything more than lie on the bed every night and pray with their rosary... honest )

We had wonderfully amazing conversations about religion and G-d and everything. It always gave us something to talk about. We couldn't have been more different but that was the best part! You should tell her- it shouldn't hurt your friendship. Besides, you both pray to the same G-d.

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

She's very blessed to have met such a sensitive friend. It sounds like you're still getting to know each other. I wouldn't say anything until she asks what your religious preference is. That way she has time to get to know you and if she might have had misconceptions before, perhaps knowing you as a friend will change them. Mostly, just continue to be yourself. I am a Christian and I would feel honored had I met a Jewish friend with a heart like yours

 

[RadioNate]

I am not sure what you mean by 'orthodox' Christian.

She means Orthodox Christian

http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/

http://www.antiochian.org/

Variations of the Orthodox church are common in Eastern Europe, Greece and Russia.

My best friend is Orthodox and he is very tolerant of other religions. I find the Orthodox religion to be closer to Catholic than to the non-denominational Protestant based Christian faiths.

 

[Aidensmom]

I think the only person who could answer the question of how your friend would feel about you being Jewish.....is your friend.

Like some other people have said, if she has a problem with it, you are probably better off without her as a friend anyways. I think if it was that important to her though, she probably would have already asked you about your religious beliefs.

Now, that being said, as a Christian I do not have a problem with my friends being of other religions or not being religious at all. Most other Christians I know feel the same way.

 

[luvthatduke]

I am a Born Again Christian
(I'll pause for the horrified gasp coming from the FF corner),
and I love having friends of all religions!

It makes life interesting, to say the least,
and I cannot fathom not knowing all the
wonderful, different people that I have been blessed to have around me!
Growing up we had the most fun with our Jewish neighbors,
my DSis and I shared Christmas with their girls,
and they shared Hanukkah with us.
This went on for years and it was great!
I have been a Nanny for a relatively Orthodox Jewish family, as well,
and they were fully aware of my beliefs as all of my answers
were honest and all of my references came from my church family.

I personally don't "keep track" of what religions my friends practice,
not that I couldn't tell you (most likely) if you asked me specifically,
but it generally doesn't define our friendship.
I am the type of friend/aquaintence that
if the conversation warranted it, I would share my faith
according to the reception I got from my new (or old) friend,
but I would not stop wanting to know a person based on their beliefs
or their rejection of mine (however, if I was ridiculed I would definitely question whether that person was a true friend,
because I would never ridicule someone for their beliefs).
And because we're friends, the sharing is a 2 way street,
which is what makes having friends of many "stripes" so interesting.

To paraphrase what others have said, if your new friend is uncomfortable
with your being Jewish, they're not going to be a good influence in your life.