A question for Christians...

[hokiefan33]

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

And what defines "respect"? I have friends who are of a different religion than I. I don't "respect" their various religions, b/c I think they are completely incorrect in their thinking and are actually contrary to my religion. However, it does not mean I can't be friends with them. "Respect" does not mean you have to agree. It means you can overlook their religion and view them as a person, rather than as a religious member. "Respect" also doesn't mean I can't witness to them about my religion, nor that they can't witness to me about theirs. My friends know that when they're with me, they're liable to get witnessed to. I know I may never convert them, and they know they'll never convert me. But it doesn't make us hate each other, b/c we're still friends, religion aside. But they KNOW that I don't agree with their religion, and they don't agree with mine.

So, a lot depends on how you define "respect."

 

[Bob Slydell]

And what defines "respect"? I have friends who are of a different religion than I. I don't "respect" their various religions, b/c I think they are completely incorrect in their thinking and are actually contrary to my religion. However, it does not mean I can't be friends with them. "Respect" does not mean you have to agree. It means you can overlook their religion and view them as a person, rather than as a religious member. "Respect" also doesn't mean I can't witness to them about my religion, nor that they can't witness to me about theirs. My friends know that when they're with me, they're liable to get witnessed to. I know I may never convert them, and they know they'll never convert me. But it doesn't make us hate each other, b/c we're still friends, religion aside. But they KNOW that I don't agree with their religion, and they don't agree with mine.

So, a lot depends on how you define "respect."

Man, getogethers at your house must be a whole lot of fun.

 

[hokiefan33]

Man, getogethers at your house must be a whole lot of fun.

They're a blast Bob, you ought to come over some time.

 

[Bob Slydell]

No thanks, I prefer my parties to be witness free, but thanks for the offer.

 

[robinb]

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.

I agree. I also would like to add that she also wouldn't be a very good friend in the long run is does not respect your relegion and tries to "witness" or convert you. It's best to be honest now.

ETA: I'm not a christian, but I thought I would stick my atheist nose into the post anyway .

 

[jbdreamer]

I think the fact that you are keeping your religion a secret will be more upsetting to her than the fact that you are Jewish. I would just tell her. If she is truely a good christian, she will stay your friend. You wouldn't want to be friends with someone that hates you for your religion anyways.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

florida-again, i sent you a PM

 

[goofy4tink]

I know how hokiefan33 is going to react, but I'll say it anyway....I'm a practicing Christian, but I don't evangelize or witness. Yes, I know what the Bible tells me to do....but I truly feel that a person's choice of religion is up to them. It's not my place to tell them they are 'misguided' or whatever. I have plenty of Jewish friends. We have some pretty interesting conversations. If someone isn't going to be my friend because I'm Christian and they aren't...well, sorry but I'm not changing. I respect the fact that someone may believe differently than I do. Do I believe my choice of religion is the correct one? Sure, but that doesn't mean that everyone on earth has to believe the exact same thing.

I have to ask those of you that believe that only Christians are going to heaven....where is everyone else going? I have a lot of non-Christian friends that live much better lives than some of those I sit next to in church. I find it hard to believe that they are just going to be in limbo someplace. It's just one of those 'little' things in the Bible that I have a real hard time with. I mean....is there a different heaven for the Jews??? Not trying to be inflamatory, just curious what you all believe. I do tend to try my rector's patience at times as you can well imagine!!!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Most of my friends share my same belief, but the ones I don't, I don't spend my time witnessing to them. They know my beliefs, and I know their, and that is that.

 

[ead79]

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!

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.

Well said. I totally agree.

 

[wendy1974]

Be honest about who you are I'm Catholic and I can say that someoe being Jewish would in no way affect a friendship or how I viewed someone

 

[missypie]

Please don't be upset if she tries to "witness" to you. Jesus said that "no man cometh to the Father but by me." So if a person takes Jesus' teachings literally, she will try to make sure everyone she cares about accepts Jesus as their savior. On their part, it is not an act of condemnation, but of great caring.

I doubt that your friend will give you the "hard sell" however. If she was that type, she would have done so already, regardless of what she thought your religion was (or wasn't.)

 

[sweet angel]

No thanks, I prefer my parties to be witness free, but thanks for the offer.

I just spit goldfish crackers all over the place!

Hi Hokie...long time no see.

 

[hokiefan33]

Please don't be upset if she tries to "witness" to you. Jesus said that "no man cometh to the Father but by me." So if a person takes Jesus' teachings literally, she will try to make sure everyone she cares about accepts Jesus as their savior. On their part, it is not an act of condemnation, but of great caring.

I doubt that your friend will give you the "hard sell" however. If she was that type, she would have done so already, regardless of what she thought your religion was (or wasn't.)

No, Missypie, you've got it all wrong. Christians aren't people who care about others when we witness, we're mean, selfish, rude, intolerant people who don't respect the rights of others and only serve to judge.

 

[MsDisney23]

MaMa told me to never discuss Religion or Politics, I would end up with a sore nose!

 

[Tiggeroo]

yes tell her. We are born again Christians as is my dd. So in her college dorm she is the BAC, her one roommate is a very devout orthodox Jew, one a very devout Catholic whose father was muslim so she practiced his dietary restrictions out of respect for him , and another a Buddhist from China. Quite an interesting mix with some interesting conversations but they have remained friends for 4 years.
I can imagine that some Christians are narrow minded and nasty but none that I know are. Take the chance if it doesn't work out you will just have to move on

 

[Puffy2]

Depends on what type of person she is. You could be in for an attempted "conversion", bordering on...or outright... obnoxious....or it may be no big deal at all.

Unfortuately, "Chirstian" can mean a lot of things.

 

[JennyMominRI]

No, Missypie, you've got it all wrong. Christians aren't people who care about others when we witness, we're mean, selfish, rude, intolerant people who don't respect the rights of others and only serve to judge.

I think It's all in how you say it really