Should a non-Christian have Christian friends?

[Matthias]

There’s a thread in one of the “Christians Only” forums asking if Christians should have non-Christian friends. I thought it might be interesting to approach and explore the question from the opposite direction: Should a non-Christian have Christian friends?

 

[Behold]

Its going to be difficult for a unbeliever who loves sin. (they all do) to want to have a Christian as a friend, as the Christain is going to bring conviction to the unbeliever and they dont like how that feels.
The sinner (unbeliever) would rather bond with others who love sin, as that is a natural situation for them and "feels good".

 

[Bob]

Thank you for the question.

Clearly there are Buddhists, Jews, Sikhs, . . . , and even secularists who have Christian friends. The areas they have in common outweigh the disagreements, which can be acknowledged without being a source of constant contention. It will always help if they value and practice the characteristics of Love Thy Neighbor (which happen to be universal, although named differently, in many non-Christian societies globally).

Blessings.

 

[Matthias]

“God teaches us throughout the Quran that there are righteous Jews and Christians. As such there is no prohibition for Muslims to be friends with Jews, Christians or people of any other faith who are of good character.”

Can Muslims be friends with Jews and Christians?

www.islamicity.org

 

[JohnDB]

“God teaches us throughout the Quran that there are righteous Jews and Christians. As such there is no prohibition for Muslims to be friends with Jews, Christians or people of any other faith who are of good character.”

Can Muslims be friends with Jews and Christians?

www.islamicity.org

I am highly suspicious....

Especially when Muslims are slaughtering helpless innocents regularly on a wholesale basis.

https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/1976170763939184683

 

[Matthias]

I am highly suspicious....

Especially when Muslims are slaughtering helpless innocents regularly on a wholesale basis.

https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/1976170763939184683

I have a Muslim friend. He‘s not involved in “slaughtering helpless innocents”.

Have you ever heard of Christians “slaughtering helpless innocents”? If you have, should non-Christians be suspicious of being friends with Christians?

 

[JohnDB]

I have a Muslim friend. He‘s not involved in “slaughtering helpless innocents”.

Have you ever heard of Christians “slaughtering helpless innocents”?

Are you sure?

Did you click the article link?
It's not exactly a new story.
Oct 7th?

"From the River to the Sea"?

Iran?
Iraq?
Phillipines?
Malaysia?
Afghanistan?
Pakistan?

Sorry....I'm not buying their brand of peace.

 

[Matthias]

Are you sure?

Yes, I’m sure.

Did you click the article link?

Yes.

It's not exactly a new story.
Oct 7th?

"From the River to the Sea"?

Iran?
Iraq?
Phillipines?
Malaysia?
Afghanistan?
Pakistan?

Sorry....I'm not buying their brand of peace.

History contains many examples of Christians “slaughtering helpless innocents”.

If we’re going to use the history and character of religion rather than the history and character of individuals to be our guide for forming / not forming friendships with others then can we have any friends outside of our respective religions?

 

[JohnDB]

Yes, I’m sure.



Yes.



History contains many examples of Christians “slaughtering helpless innocents”.

If we’re going to use the history and character of religion rather than the history and character of individuals to be our guide for forming / not forming friendships with others then can we have any friends outside of our respective religions?

I use extreme caution before I use the moniker "friend" for anyone...and even then it's only applied to Christians. That's it.

Otherwise it's simply acquaintances and co-somethings.

For other people their mileage may vary....

I know that people in the past have used the "Christian" label to license all sorts of evil. And some still do today. But that doesn't mean that they are one.

However the directives from the Koran itself on beheading Christians, Jews, and infidels is not to be dismissed.

 

[Matthias]

I use extreme caution before I use the moniker "friend" for anyone...and even then it's only applied to Christians. That's it.

Otherwise it's simply acquaintances and co-somethings.

For other people their mileage may vary....

I know that people in the past have used the "Christian" label to license all sorts of evil. And some still do today. But that doesn't mean that they are one.

However the directives from the Koran itself on beheading Christians, Jews, and infidels is not to be dismissed.

Thanks for sharing your personal Christian perspective. I‘ve met non-Christians who have the same thoughts and attitude toward those who are not of their faith -> a universal “I cannot be friends with them.”

For Christians as well as non-Christians, do you think it’s a majority perspective or a minority perspective?

 

[Matthias]

@Riven have you made (or hoping to make) friends with any of the “Christian” members on Christianity Board? How about with any of the “Other Faith” members?

 

[Riven]

@Riven have you made (or hoping to make) friends with any of the “Christian” members on Christianity Board? How about with any of the “Other Faith” members?

Yeah, I think I've made a friend or two. Why do you ask?

 

[Matthias]

Yeah, I think I've made a friend or two.

“Christian” or “Other Faith”? Have you formed friendships here with members in both categories? What about friendships with “Christians” who are not members of Christianity Board?

Why do you ask?

Some “Christians” will not under any circumstances form friendships with persons who are “Other Faith”. I asked about it with a follow-up question in mind in the event that you desired to make friends with “Christians“ but were not befriended by them.

 

[Riven]

“Christian” or “Other Faith”? Have you formed friendships here with members in both categories? What about friendships with “Christians” who are not members of Christianity Board?

A few Christians on another forum once. I don't really care what people believe. If a person treats me with respect and they're fun to be around, I think friendship makes sense.

Some “Christians” will not under any circumstances form friendships with persons who are “Other Faith”. I asked about it with a follow-up question in mind in the event that you desired to make friends with “Christians“ but were not befriended by them.

Yes, that has happened to me. Close minded people are a dime a dozen. It's their loss.

 

[Matthias]

If non-Christians should have Christian friends then Christians should befriend non-Christians.

Should a Christian befriend every non-Christian?

Should a non-Christian befriend every Christian?

 

[Riven]

If non-Christians should have Christian friends then Christians should befriend non-Christians.

I agree. Sometimes people really do mean well.

Should a Christian befriend every non-Christian?

Should a non-Christian befriend every Christian?

No. That's what Facebook is for.

 

[quietthinker]

Should a non-Christian have Christian friends?​

I vote for an eradication of the word 'should'

 

[Matthias]

Should a non-Christian have Christian friends?​

I vote for an eradication of the word 'should'

Here’s what it looks like when we do:

A non-Christian have Christian friends?

 

[Matthias]

I agree. Sometimes people really do mean well.

I assume that they do unless or until they prove otherwise.

No. That's what Facebook is for.

I have non-Christian (and Christian) friends on every continent except Antarctica but none on Facebook.

 

[JohnDB]

Yes, I’m sure.



Yes.



History contains many examples of Christians “slaughtering helpless innocents”.

If we’re going to use the history and character of religion rather than the history and character of individuals to be our guide for forming / not forming friendships with others then can we have any friends outside of our respective religions?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1977972947366355023