Christians -and- others

[Frisbinator]

As a young and single Christian, do you all think that it is ok to have non-Christian friends, who are either a different religion altogether or just plain not interested in Christianity?

Also, is there a large enough gap between Protestants and Catholics to justify a Protestant not dating a Catholic, or vice versa?

Edited November 22, 2004 by Frisbinator

[larryt]

As a young and single Christian, do you all think that it is ok to have non-Christian friends, who are either a different religion altogether or just plain not interested in Christianity? 

Also, is there a large enough gap between Protestants and Catholics to justify a Protestant not dating a Catholic, or vice versa?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Frisb.,

Welcome to WBs. Have you taken the time to find out the answers in the scriptures for yourself? If you are looking for opinions, you can get them here. Some questions I would ask is, "What is a friend?" "How involved in the friendship do you want to be?" "What do the protestant churches believe?" "What does the catholic church believe?" "What do you believe?"

My opinion: Don't develope close friendships with non-christians. The closer you are tied to them the more they will pull you to the world and the things of the world.(1John 2:16) Keep in mind that if they are not christians they will not go to heaven but to hell. Does this mean anything to you?

As to dating. Are you ready to get married yet? Concentrate on your relation to Jesus Christ and get to know Him and He will guide you to the right mate in His time.

LT

[Catsmeow]

1 Cor 15:33 Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.

That's the biblical answer to the first question. If you hang with people who are without strong Christian morals and beliefs, you will eventually be corrupted by their ways.

Catholic vs Protestant: I prefer the term, "evangelical" rather than protestant.

Either way, what matters is Christ and Him glorified. The famous Christian music artists, Michael Card and John Michael Talbott are very close friends. I believe Talbott is a modern day monk. Michael Card has a wonderful ministry of his own.

Catholic and protestant sang TOGETHER, sharing both of their praise music on an album called, "Brother to Brother".

They have no trouble whatsoever in focusing on what matters, which is Christ Jesus.

My very closest and dearest friend of all ages is a devout Roman Catholic. Our eyes are both focused on Christ and Him crucified and glorified.

The common denominator and what matters is Christ only. If the individual is Christ centered, that's the most important thing to consider regarding whether the two of you can be compatible.

One litmus test would be to see how well you share similar morals: drinking, dating, entertainment, etc.

If the person professes Christ but is given to much alcohol or sexually explicit music or movies, forget it.

If they're focused on walking in the Spirit and together you can pray as brothers, you might have a good match.

I'd take it to the Father and ask Him to guide your decision in ALL things, especially this matter.

[seraph]

I know a Christian who chose non-Christian friends... and I saw it affecting him. Slowly... he began to compromise his beliefs... he was influenced... now he has destroyed his life and destroyed another person's life... of course God can repair this- but he is suffering the consequences of some very bad decisions.

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." -1 Corinthians 15:33

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. -Proverbs 13:20

Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. -2 Corinthians 13:11

[Fr Chuck]

A person is much better off being friends and being with other Christians.

Since they should have much more in commom than being with those that can not share or support you in your faith.

As to Protestant and Catholic, alot depends on what type of Protestant you are.

The Anglican type churches, many Lutheran churches and many of the Independent Orthodox movements, the real, actual beleifs and the order of service is so close, If I took you from church to church and you did not know what type it was, you most likely could never guess from just listening to, or watching the sermon.

Alot of the Catholic beleifs, that people who are not catholic think they know are just plain false, There has been so many lies about catholic beleifs told in Protestant churches over the years, that most Protestants beleive it is true.

Did they have troubles 1000 or even 100 year ago, of course, do they still have some problems, of course. But all denominations have problems and disagreements.

A Protestant and Catholic can still share a love of Christ, a beleif in God.

And in many beleifs, the Catholic is really very conservative, if they follow church teachings, they are pro life, pro family and have very good moral values.

[OneAccord]

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." -1 Corinthians 15:33

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. -Proverbs 13:20

1 Cor 15:33 Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.

As a child growing up in an atheist home, I was never befriended by a Christian, nor as an adult navigating through a confusing world was I ever befriended by a Christian. I understand now that it is because they are taught to be separated out from the world. I wonder if I was also considered to be a fool, bad company and an evil companion becuase I did not know Christ.

Since becoming a Christian, I was taught in the first church I attended not to keep company with unbelievers. Therefore I forsook my very dearest and closest friends of many years in order to follow Jesus and not be corrupted and defiled and polluted by their ungodly ways. I have since been pretty much a loner, and my husband also, because I have not found new close friends within my church community, mainly they are more like Sunday aquaintances and 'brothers and sisters in the Lord' but nowhere the intimacy and fellowship I used to have.

I feel like I was perhaps a bad witness to my old friends of the love of God, He who so loved the world, in shunning them as I was taught. I have also become confused about what Christian love is, if it cannot be expressed in friendships with the unsaved.

[Shelby]

Well there are many spins I could take on this, but I will go strictly with my first gut reaction.

My ENTIRE family are not Christians. I am very close to them. I am not being drug down into something awful. Just because someone isn't Christian doesn't mean they live evil lifestyles.

I have many non-Christian friends. They know where I stand, and are very respectful of me and my views. They even go to church with me sometimes. God is slowly chizzling away at their hearts. I am going to be their friend, and show them that God loves them just as they are.

I think it depends on your strength. Are you spiritually mature enough to stand strong for your convictions? For me, God uses my non-Christian friends and family to show how great I have it. I spend alot of time witnessing to them. But not so much in words, but by how I live and interact with them. It is working. Just last week my mom asked that my pastor come visit her and my dad.

As for dating between protestants and Catholics, well it really depends what kind of Catholic. My family are "Catholic". But not the kind who seek Jesus, but the kind who just go to Mass and hardly ever confession. They don't do any of their prayers. I was raised Catholic in my family was mopre culture than religion.

BUT the main difference being between my families church and the one I attended when no one was going to mass (quite often) was a methodist background church. They preached Jesus, and the fact that you can ONLY go to God through him. I was being taught very different things in Catahchism classes, we prayed to Mary and other Saints depending on the request. Those are not suffucient. As you can imagine I was quite confused, but Gog got ahold of my heart and directed me right to His will for my life and the understanding to which I hold to this day.

On the other hand, my Grandfather was a devout Catholic. He Jesus as his Lord and savior, and I believe he is in heaven. He sought God himself.

Dating is a tough one though, you need to know their basic beliefs. Because when it comes down to it, would you marry this person? How would you raise your kids?

My grandparents were Catholic (grandpa above), and Baptist, Full Gospel (grandma, wife of above grandpa). Only one of their children is a Christian. They have 5 girls. All are so confused. They traded, one week with mom, next with dad. They did the same when watching me on weekends. VERY CONFUSING!

[alexd]

I personally would say that you should be friends with whoever you want to be friends with. If you are of weak convictions or beliefs and are afraid of being swayed, then maybe dont get too close, but if you are firm in your beliefs, then I dont think you should push anyone away just for being different. Who knows, perhaps they will become Christians from knowing you.

As to dating, its all on how comfortable you are dating a non Christian. If you are fine with it, try it out, and maybe if the relationship gets serious, introduce them to Jesus and his love. If you arent comfortable with it, however, then I guess dont worry about it.

[Frisbinator]

Thanks for the insight folks.

[Nicks Girl]

I don't think there is a problem with being friends with non-Christians. Like Shelby wrote, I have family who are not Christians. One of my best friends is my cousin, and she is not a Christian. I believe we arent' to get dragged into sin, or be influenced by them, but I think a majority of Christians who are in fellowship, and have other Godly Christian friends and influences, aren't going to be dragged down by one, or even a few non-christians friends. Also, just because someone isnt' a Christian ,doesn't mean they are doing horrible things, or are going to try to get you to do it to. Especially if they KNOW you are a Christian, they will probably leave you alone about that stuff.