Fellow Atheists: How do you deal with having a devout Christian as a friend?

I don't have problems dealing with most people that are religious because they are simply moderate hypocrites. However, I do have a friend that seems to have gone into the extreme side of Christianity. She's about to blow $35,000 doing missionary work in North Africa money on tutors to be able to learn French. Although I realize that missionary workers do a lot of good in terms of feeding people and such with good intentions in mind, I still can't get over the damage they do by spreading their ignorance.

How can you get along with a person that you know basically is going out there, even if doing so with good intentions, to hurt others by spreading their lies? Is it the fact that it's religion and it's so widespread that we don't treat it as we would treat it if her good intentions were telling her to spread the HIV virus?

I think you just have to set it aside. My feeling is that some people need religion in their life, and they will find a religion to believe in. Whether they are a yuppie from Manhattan or a savage in the deep jungle, if they feel the need for religion, they will worship a god of some sort. If it wasn't Christianity, it would be some other religion. In that respect, it's not like HIV. Many people feel the need to believe in something. Just let them...there's nothing else you can do...

It's her money and her life. You're not out of pocket personally because of this, are you? She's doing what she wholeheartedly believes is the right thing for her. Leave her be, and if you're a true friend, remind yourself that true friendship means taking all the good with all the bad - true friendship doesn't come in slices.

Why don't you just live and let live, you call Christians ignorant; when the statement you made breads and oozes ignorants like a giant pustule. Don't persecute people's beliefs or you'll make a bad name for yourself and Atheists alike.

I don't associate with disrespectful Christians who push their beliefs on others. I am very lucky to know only respectful Christians who mind their own spiritual business. There are a few out there.

You presuppose that it's a lie.

Seriously, it's just a missionary, let it be.

God bless!

~Follower of the Way.

We get along ok. WE actually dont talk about GOd or hell that much. Just watch the games and stuff. I didnt read anyhting else you wrote so if the question was something else im sorry


OBAMA 08

Hi Bottom Contributor,

It is very much possible to have people with two very diverse religious beliefs and still get along. As a "devout Christian" obviously i share a lot of common things with other Christians who love the Lord-- but i can also tell you that i have good friends that are: lesbians, my brother is a staunch atheist, and it's possible for me to get along and have dear friendships because i follow the advice of the Bible. To show love to everyone; to love without condition and that sometimes involves sharing the truth in love. My homosexual friends know what the Bible teaches about homosexuality- and it's their choice to accept or reject that- and although we don't agree on the topic i can still be friends with them.

i share this with you to share with you that the Bible really does teach us God's ways- and God's ways are pure and good.

If this "devout Christian" is a friend- i suggest being a true friend to her and sharing with her how you feel about her actions (espeially if you think her actions are damaging to herself). That's what a true friend does- they care about their friends and they talk to them about it- when they see them doing something that is damaging to them. She may share with you her perspective of things- and that may help you to understand her a little bit better- though you may not agree with her. i hope you are able to separate friendship from a person's personal beliefs. You don't have to accept her beliefs, but i hope that you can accept her- and if you call her a friend- that you can treat her like one.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

I have been to north africa and don't worry, she can't make it much worse. Think about it this way, will their dreary lives be that much better if they knew the truth? Ignorance is bliss. Those people are in a situation where it should be easy to believe in that stuff. Thats why Christians travel to the impoverished nations to spread the gospel. Its a much harder sell on the educated. Anyway, if it makes them happy, all the lies and false hopes, fine. So much in life is just enjoying it as much as you can. They may feel better believing something good happens after they die. They have such hard, short lives.