Differing Beliefs

I'm not an overly religious person. But I do believe and I do my best to please my Lord and Savior, however questionable I can be at times.
But my friend of over 20 years is really anti-religion. To the point of being annoying about it. He says things like "Religion is a crutch" and it just gets under my skin for some reason. I don't want to have it out with him because I'm a non confrontational kind of guy. He lives in WV (where I am from originally) and I live here in Florida so its not like we see each other all the time, so us staying friends shouldn't be a problem.

I was wondering, does anyone else have friends that are complete opposites like this and how do you deal with it?

i don't keep friends, but i work with a pretty religious guy. he likes to tell me how i'm probably going to hell or whatever. i don't get upset, because it doesn't mean anything to me. besides, i sign his paycheck.

I'm not a particulary religious person and neither are my buddies so we get along just fine. However in work, there were 2 guys, one super religious, the other a very book-smart, fact-minded individual. They would get into debates all of the time and I found it quite amusing to sit back and watch the fireworks. Both men had valid points for their beliefs, and it would be facinating to hear them, but then both fairly-intelligent men would let their frustrations get the best of them and make some of the most absurd statements and the thing would end-up sounding like childish name calling.

mc666 wrote:

i don't keep friends, but i work with a pretty religious guy. he likes to tell me how i'm probably going to hell or whatever. i don't get upset, because it doesn't mean anything to me. besides, i sign his paycheck.

WOW, brave dude...telling your boss your going to burn?! LOL!

I personally like the Joseph or maybe the Daniel approach. Just serve them and love them and be the best employee or friend they have (without compromising your faith/values)....that says so much more than arguing or trying to counter baseless statements. Chances are, that guy has had some very bad examples or experiences with Christianity or church and his opinion is justifiably so. And the most important thing, the critical thing, is to pray for him. Not that he'll turn from his wicked ways or anything like that...but just that God would use you anyway he sees fit and that he would bless that person. Prayer always makes a huge difference I've found, especially when I come up against a coworker or an evil boss (like MC666)

On the lines of that particular...very popular insult right now "...it's just a crutch". I've always kind of cocked my head at that and said...well, yeah?! I'm so glad I've got someone bigger than me to put my trust in, my hope in, when I'm going through the crap. When I break a leg, I get crutches, cuz I can't walk on my own strength. But when things are good, belief in something is not a crutch holding you back. It's the fuel that drives you, that gives me confidence to move forward. It's MUCH MUCH easier to NOT believe in a god you can't see, feel or touch than it is to have faith in that higher power. Especially, when life is good...why bother right? You’re doing just fine by yourself.

No, that argument never bothered me at all, it’s a very general/blanket statement.

Interesting how its often pulled out and played on a person that perhaps has been sober for a long period of time and gives honor to God for it..."oh how convenient for him/her". But they found the strength they needed to overcome addiction, is that bad? Or someone who fell to temptation in some form and by all standards deserves to be shot or smacked! But, they found forgiveness and freedom to move on in their faith. Nothing can change what they did, but they don't have to live under the guilt and condemnation for the rest of their life.

Very well put, Troy

me and my friend were kinda like that. he is religous and always used to get annoyed if i used the lords name in vain as he put it

It's never really been a concern for me, I try to get along with everybody. I'm not a super religious Ned Flanders type but I did know a guy in college who was a real hard core, holy rollin', born again Christian rocker type, when he saw me walking round campus with a Stryper back patch on my jacket he and I became fast friends. He turned me on to a lot of the so-called "underground" Christian bands of the era (Deliverance, X-Sinner, etc.) so I owe him a debt of gratitude for that. We made an odd pair strolling around campus, he'd be wearing a Whitecross or The Lead shirt and I'd be sporting an Overkill T with a bloody "Chaly" on it or a Mercyful Fate shirt with a big ole flamin' Satan on the front.

As far as differing beliefs or lifestyles go, I agree with Ted Nugent -- you can hump buffalo for all I care, as long as you don't make me watch.

I have a friend like that but we usually have enough respect for one another to steer clear of those types of topics...

I have certain friends were we pretty much understand that religion is a topic we agree to disagree on and try to respect each others personal beliefs. Actually some of the most intense and even boarder line hostile arguments I hear are between two friends, both Christians, of differing denominations.

I always say theres two things not to discuss with friends,politics and religion.I'm a christian and dont push it on anyone.I just try to be real with people.I think that goes a long way.

I say RIP THEIR HEADS OFF and shove it down their throat....but that's just me...

Easy now Reverend T-Roy

SCARY!

I try to take a gently approach. If someone is like your friend and they get upset when I talk "religion" with them I try to steer the conversation towards something we both can agree on (find common ground). The worst thing, IMO, a Christian can do is press the matter. If you try and press the matter than the person just becomes more angry and bitter at Christianity than they were before. Besides actions speak louder than words, instead of preaching to them just live you life in a Godly matter and let people see Christ in you instead of you shoving Christ into them. You shouldn't compromise you beliefs for unbelivers but at the same time keeping your mouth shut is not a bad idea. The Bible calls us to be peace makers not dissention makers.

Jstate, you are right on. Christians bickering between each other causes much more damage to unbelievers than shoving it down their throats. That is why I get so upset at Protestants belittleing each other, Protestants belittleing Catholics, Catholics belittleing Protestants, and the anti-Christian rock/metal movement.

Word brother.

Good word, DB.