Should a non-Christian have Christian friends?

[JohnDB]

Purely as a matter of curiosity, have you ever looked up the word “nice” in a Thesaurus?

NICE Synonyms & Antonyms - 184 words | Thesaurus.com

Find 184 different ways to say NICE, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.

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An observation. You and I can’t be friends, and I count that as loss to me.

Are you more receptive listening to someone whom you consider to be a friend than you are to someone whom you don’t consider to be a friend?

We ARE acquaintances.

Being "nice" is akin to giving lip service up to the point of being sycophants.

I can be nice to you without being kind and the object of my customary generosity.

I don't expect an invitation to dinner at your house. And unless I knew a LOT more about you I wouldn't accept anyway as my wife comes with me to most places.

I do not expect much from you except civility and respect in return for the same as I have gifted you. (Which your 4 false accusations of me is making me reconsider the notion)

That's social graces....polite society. A customary expectation of a standard of behavior far surpassing that of politicians campaigning against his opponents.

Friends?
After Jesus my wife is my best friend. She is always nice as well as kind to me. The loving-kindness she extends to me on a regular basis is unique to me alone and I give her the same in uniqueness and loving-kindness.
Then comes my small group friends....friends I study the scriptures with. (Although all are not equal there are guys in there I like hanging out with...giving presents and inviting over as well as out)

After that comes the friends I have from my past churches....awesome friends. We have done so many years of life together I am an integral part of their children's lives. The children literally cried when we left the area and felt like that holidays would not be the same anymore without us.

Then comes the larger church membership....I still consider them friends because they claim Jesus as their LORD and MASTER. Then comes those outside my churches in general Christiandom.....they can be anywhere in the world. Brothers from another mother. (Sisters too....but I like hanging with the guys more)

Friends and family....we ALL rely upon each other. We all fit together as this motley crew of ne'er-do-wells that are somewhat thriving in this dark and hostile world.

See, in the Semetic world and anthropology of Jewish life. "My brother is ALWAYS my brother, I can like him and am happy with him or I can be angry and unhappy with him....it doesn't matter because my brother is still my brother. Woe to those who think they can mess with my brother because I am angry with my brother".
That holds true for friends and family....in MY world where I set the rules of engagement. I help friends and family by offering free services of a retired Chef, Baker, and Electrician. And in return they do things for me too. And make sure none of the others take advantage of me....because I tend to be too generous. They kinda look out for me. It's not a quid pro quo....it's just we do what we can when we are needed and don't think much about it. It's friends and family. We do things because they need it and sometimes just want it.

Now exactly how is a Muslim going to fit into this group when their religion has VERY dubious statements and very RECENT history towards Women in general and especially Jews and Christians.

 

[Matthias]

We ARE acquaintances.

Being "nice" is akin to giving lip service up to the point of being sycophants.

I can be nice to you without being kind and the object of my customary generosity.

I don't expect an invitation to dinner at your house. And unless I knew a LOT more about you I wouldn't accept anyway as my wife comes with me to most places.

I do not expect much from you except civility and respect in return for the same as I have gifted you. (Which your 4 false accusations of me is making me reconsider the notion)

That's social graces....polite society. A customary expectation of a standard of behavior far surpassing that of politicians campaigning against his opponents.

Friends?
After Jesus my wife is my best friend. She is always nice as well as kind to me. The loving-kindness she extends to me on a regular basis is unique to me alone and I give her the same in uniqueness and loving-kindness.
Then comes my small group friends....friends I study the scriptures with. (Although all are not equal there are guys in there I like hanging out with...giving presents and inviting over as well as out)

After that comes the friends I have from my past churches....awesome friends. We have done so many years of life together I am an integral part of their children's lives. The children literally cried when we left the area and felt like that holidays would not be the same anymore without us.

Then comes the larger church membership....I still consider them friends because they claim Jesus as their LORD and MASTER. Then comes those outside my churches in general Christiandom.....they can be anywhere in the world. Brothers from another mother. (Sisters too....but I like hanging with the guys more)

Friends and family....we ALL rely upon each other. We all fit together as this motley crew of ne'er-do-wells that are somewhat thriving in this dark and hostile world.

See, in the Semetic world and anthropology of Jewish life. "My brother is ALWAYS my brother, I can like him and am happy with him or I can be angry and unhappy with him....it doesn't matter because my brother is still my brother. Woe to those who think they can mess with my brother because I am angry with my brother".
That holds true for friends and family....in MY world where I set the rules of engagement. I help friends and family by offering free services of a retired Chef, Baker, and Electrician. And in return they do things for me too. And make sure none of the others take advantage of me....because I tend to be too generous. They kinda look out for me. It's not a quid pro quo....it's just we do what we can when we are needed and don't think much about it. It's friends and family. We do things because they need it and sometimes just want it.

Now exactly how is a Muslim going to fit into this group when their religion has VERY dubious statements and very RECENT history towards Women in general and especially Jews and Christians.

I’m more receptive to listening to someone whom I consider to be my friend.

 

[JohnDB]

I’m more receptive to listening to someone whom I consider to be my friend.

Appropriate boundaries are definitely something that mental health is dependent upon.

 

[quietthinker]

Appropriate boundaries are definitely something that mental health is dependent upon.

I never swim in my toilet, it's got a ring at the top; that's the demarkation zone.

 

[Matthias]

Appropriate boundaries are definitely something that mental health is dependent upon.

Echoing the training I received for working with neglected, abused and at-risk children.

 

[Riven]

Tax collectors are a tough sell.

 

[JohnDB]

Echoing the training I received for working with neglected, abused and at-risk children.

And?
Complete the thought you want us to have.

 

[Matthias]

And?
Complete the thought you want us to have.

It was just as an illustration offered in support of your comment.

The primary reason that I post on this platform is to escape the horrific nature of my volunteer work with mistreated children. It puts a strain on my mental health and speaking with friends (and enemies) here helps me cope with the stress that comes with the work.

The thought that I want you to have is how thankful I am to be here.

 

[JohnDB]

It was just as an illustration offered in support of your comment.

The primary reason that I post on this platform is to escape the horrific nature of my volunteer work with mistreated children. It puts a strain on my mental health and speaking with friends (and enemies) here helps me cope with the stress that comes with the work.

The thought that I want you to have is how thankful I am to be here.

Uh huh....

 

[Matthias]

Uh huh....

 

[Matthias]

A question for readers who aren’t Christian: Would you like to have a Christian friend?

If you would, why?

 

[Matthias]

Should a non-Christian have Christian friends?​

I vote for an eradication of the word 'should'

I mentioned in the OP that this thread is based on a reverse of a thread in the segregated forums. That thread is titled “Should a Christian have non-Christian friends? - In the world, but not of the world”

You have the privilege of posting in that thread. Would you vote for an eradication of the word “should” in the title of that thread?

 

[quietthinker]

I mentioned in the OP that this thread is based on a reverse of a thread in the segregated forums. That thread is titled “Should a Christian have non-Christian friends? - In the world, but not of the world”

You have the privilege of posting in that thread. Would you vote for an eradication of the word “should” in the title of that thread?

'should' is telling others what you think they need to think or do.
How would you like others to tell you what they think you 'should' think or do.

 

[Matthias]

'should' is telling others what you think they need to do.

It isn’t when put in the form of a question.

How would you like others to tell you what they think you 'should' do

Have you ever been married? Have you ever worked for someone?

Should I ask you again about the thread in the “Christians Only” forum?

 

[quietthinker]

It isn’t when put in the form of a question.



Have you ever been married? Have you ever worked for someone?

Should I ask you again about the thread in the “Christians Only” forum?

One can be assured that when 'should' is used in relation to another, one assumes the high ground.

 

[Matthias]

One can be assured that when 'should' is used in relation to another, one assumes the high ground.

I didn’t assume the high ground when I asked for your opinion.

 

[Matthias]

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

Some Christians will befriend you; some will not.

You’re close to becoming a Christian now. After you do, will you keep your current friendships with non-Christians? Will you seek to make new friends with non-Christians?

 

[Riven]

Some Christians will befriend you; some will not.

You’re close to becoming a Christian now. After you do, will you keep your current friendships with non-Christians? Will you seek to make new friends with non-Christians?

Yes to both. I find the non-Christians to be a little less grating.

 

[Matthias]

Yes to both. I find the non-Christians to be a little less grating.

You might lose some of your non-Chritian friends - I lost some non-Christian friends and some Christian friends (and family members) when I abandoned Nicene Christianity - but those of them which you’re able to keep, as well as new non-Christian friends you’ll make, will most likely be more receptive to listening to you than they will be to Christians unwilling to be friends with them. It appears to me that is the common human condition.

 

[Riven]

You might lose some of your non-Chritian friends - I lost some non-Christian friends and some Christian friends (and family members) when I abandoned Nicene Christianity - but those of them which you’re able to keep, as well as new non-Christian friends you’ll make, will most likely be more receptive to listening to you than they will be to Christians unwilling to be friends with them. It appears to me that is the common human condition.

Agreed. I find it bizarre when Christians don't want to associate with Non-Christians when Jesus would talk to just about anybody.