I am the only one to have a religious friend? My close local mummy friend is a church going, tithing Christian and I love her very much. She is supportive and we both look after each other's children every now and then. She knows I'm an atheist and has never tried to convince me otherwise or invite me to church or the like.
Who else has a trust friendship with someone very religiously different?
Willow.
One of my best friends is a Christian. Our practical values are fairly similar, so it works. She knows I'm an atheist and doesn't try to convert me, so I don't try to de-convert her.
One of my dear friends is also Christian. But she respects who I am, and I respect who she is, so it's honestly never been an issue.
One of my best friends is a traditional Catholic, but we respect each other's differences and we get along great. He and I mostly talk about nerdy/geeky stuff, our kids, shared favourite hobbies, etc. Our general values line up really well, so we don't disagree on anything major when it comes to how we'd live day to day. We've been there for each other through a LOT this year, and I wouldn't trade that friendship for the world.
My wife is a church goer and an active participant.
She laughs at my Atheism and we both laugh at the ridiculousness of Christianity.
It's really a non-issue for us.
Quote from: Scissorlegs on February 18, 2012, 10:45:52 PM
My wife is a church goer and an active participant.
She laughs at my Atheism and we both laugh at the ridiculousness of Christianity.
It's really a non-issue for us.
:D I guess I forgot to mention the most obvious person in my life, lol: my girlfriend's an Anglican. She's also active in her church, but she's prettymuch the most liberal Christian I know, and we both roll our eyes at the fundies together. So, like you and your wife, it's completely a non-issue for us which is why I overlooked it in the first place!
Nearly everyone in my life is religious in some way, and most of them are Xtians. My girlfriend is a very liberal Xtian, but not a regular church-goer. My brother, who converted to Catholicism when he married, has been exploring Eastern religions since his divorce and my stepmother has always been very traditionally Xtian. It's never been a problem for me with any of them, altho I will admit when my girlfriend's daughter announced she was an agnostic I did have a "finally, some company!" feeling.
The most religious person I know is one of my uncles (when in the military, he got a medal from the Pope), but we are not that close.
Quote from: Amicale on February 18, 2012, 10:47:58 PM
Quote from: Scissorlegs on February 18, 2012, 10:45:52 PM
My wife is a church goer and an active participant.
She laughs at my Atheism and we both laugh at the ridiculousness of Christianity.
It's really a non-issue for us.
:D I guess I forgot to mention the most obvious person in my life, lol: my girlfriend's an Anglican. She's also active in her church, but she's prettymuch the most liberal Christian I know, and we both roll our eyes at the fundies together. So, like you and your wife, it's completely a non-issue for us which is why I overlooked it in the first place!
My wife didn't go to church when we first met - did I drive her to it? :D.
She was adamant she wanted the kids Christened though... and of course get them into the best local school (Church of England) which we would otherwise never have accomplished.
Cynical? Yes. Hypocritical? If you say so... Pleased with ourselves? Definitely!
I do.
Religious friend A:
She is the only person I know that argues against my atheism and considers herself catholic, but when you get into conversation with her about what she actually believes her concept of god is that of a deistic god and doesn't really believe in the trinity or anything beyond a historical Jesus. She considers her Catholicism more of a cultural thing and only goes to church on Christmas if she is back in Ireland. Oh and is a teacher in an Islamic school which has started to change her thoughts on religion massively which is a good thing in my books.
Religious friend B:
Has his own concept of what god is and is a total mixture of his parents and step parents beliefs. Parts are Christian, parts are Islam, bits of Rastafari and the rest is just mumbo jumbo spiritual rubbish. I just find it funny as he has never read any religious book (I'd be surprised if he has ever read a book) or been to any type of church and is basically repeating things he has heard or seen online that sound cool to him. it's bit of a hipster tumblr religion if you ask me.
I live in The Bible Belt... Non-religious people are rare around here. Although, I've noticed that quite a few people I've known over the years have shifted away from religion.
I do have one that friend that I made several years ago. He is a very conservative homophobic Catholic. It's a real wonder we can talk to each other. However, I've never been very open about myself in ways that would conflict with him, so we've never had any issues. We're friends because we get perfectly along otherwise. We just don't bring up politics or religion (unless speaking about general things we can both agree on). We both have a great appreciation for Classical/Renaissance music and watch anime, so we talk about those things.
I have other theist friends. Although, it's just not as big of a conflict with them. Or I should say it wouldn't be.
One acquaintance an one friend.
The acquaintance was the local vicar. We got to know each other walking our dogs. She was a super lady and we got on like a house on fire. But we never discussed religion! She wore her own dog collar so it was obvious she was religious. She moved away to a new parish a couple of months ago.
My theist friend, Admire, is a Muslim from Bosnia. Great bloke. He knows I'm an atheist but couldn't care less. I've been to his house a few times and his wife was a little surprised when took flowers for her as a thank you for all the food she would always prepare when I went. Admire laughed as she was so surprised that I would give her a gift just for he being nice to me. In Bosnia taking flowers to another man's wife would be a real no-no. But as Admire said, "We live in England now, that's the way it's done here."
While at college the class was mostly Muslim and I had no trouble with any of them. One was an Afgan Sufi and he was a real laugh. He used to tease my about my atheism and I would tease back about his faith.
I have never met a Muslim I didn't get on with. I had a couple working for me for a while and neither of them ever impolite or reserved around me at all.
It's these experiences that I recall whenever I read or here people 'knocking' Muslims as I have never met one who was not polite and friendly.
I'm not nieve enough to believe all Muslims are nice people, some obviously aren't but I've not met any in real life that are.
In my experience one should see the person before their religion.
The other thing I am very proud of is the way my kids have grown up to be totally accepting of people irrespective of their race, sexual orientation and creed. My son spent his last year at college with a room mate who was a Muslim from Singapore. They used to go out and get pissed together! He also has an American girlfriend who is 100% ethnic Vietnamese . Her Mum and Dad both escaped to America from Vietnam during the war, They met in America and brought up their family there. My son met her while he was at UCLA on an exchange year.
Quote from: Tank on February 19, 2012, 04:01:38 PM
The other thing I am very proud of is the way my kids have grown up to be totally accepting of people irrespective of their race, sexual orientation and creed. My son spent his last year at college with a room mate who was a Muslim from Singapore. They used to go out and get pissed together! He also has an American girlfriend who is 100% ethnic Vietnamese . Her Mum and Dad both escaped to America from Vietnam during the war, They met in America and brought up their family there. My son met her while he was at UCLA on an exchange year.
Tank, that's absolutely awesome. The fact that your kids grew up that way is proof that their parents did quite a fine job indeed raising them. :)
QuoteI am the only one to have a religious friend?
all my friends are religion
recently a girl at work had a minor car accident. She claims the picture sof the saints in her car protected her (no emntion of the seat belt)
fasting period is coming and Ill be the odd one out again
I also had my first preaching from another friend too
they all talk about going to church
and so on
and so forth
Quote from: MariaEvri on February 19, 2012, 05:52:45 PM
Quotefasting period is coming and Ill be the odd one out again
I
Then when they go hungry, you have a sandwich and laugh!
Quote from: Tank on February 19, 2012, 03:55:26 PM
I have never met a Muslim I didn't get on with. I had a couple working for me for a while and neither of them ever impolite or reserved around me at all.
It's these experiences that I recall whenever I read or here people 'knocking' Muslims as I have never met one who was not polite and friendly.
This is also my experience of people of the Islamic faith.
Quote from: Crow on February 19, 2012, 06:58:03 PM
Quote from: Tank on February 19, 2012, 03:55:26 PM
I have never met a Muslim I didn't get on with. I had a couple working for me for a while and neither of them ever impolite or reserved around me at all.
It's these experiences that I recall whenever I read or here people 'knocking' Muslims as I have never met one who was not polite and friendly.
This is also my experience of people of the Islamic faith.
Honestly, I've had the same experience.
During my work Christmas party I got drunk with one of my co-workers who was Muslim. We debated pretty much everything, but it was always friendly (and with every drink he kept repeating, "ohhhhhhh, I'm a bad Muslim!")
Quote from: DeterminedJuliet on February 19, 2012, 07:07:55 PM
Quote from: Crow on February 19, 2012, 06:58:03 PM
Quote from: Tank on February 19, 2012, 03:55:26 PM
I have never met a Muslim I didn't get on with. I had a couple working for me for a while and neither of them ever impolite or reserved around me at all.
It's these experiences that I recall whenever I read or here people 'knocking' Muslims as I have never met one who was not polite and friendly.
This is also my experience of people of the Islamic faith.
Honestly, I've had the same experience.
During my work Christmas party I got drunk with one of my co-workers who was Muslim. We debated pretty much everything, but it was always friendly (and with every drink he kept repeating, "ohhhhhhh, I'm a bad Muslim!")
ROFL!
Yeah, I've had the same experience too. An old buddy of mine is Muslim, very easygoing, friendly, funny guy. Refuses to hug or touch me at all which is kinda funny, but hey, I respect that. :D My former students were all Muslim, too -- they live in Saudi Arabia, and they were mostly a very friendly, interesting, funny group of guys. I loved talking with them and I think I learned more from them than they learned from me!
I know that I'm not an atheist, but this seems to have turned into more of a diversity thing, anyway.
I'm an agnostic theist, but consider myself Unitarian Universalist when it comes to denomination. My wife is Jewish by heritage, was raised as a hardcore fundamentalist Christian, and is now beginning to explore other possibilities after a necessary period of strong atheism. My best friend is atheist. Her ex-boyfriend (and father to my goddaughter) is Anglican, though he's now left his church due to a dispute with a priest, and is now searching for something else. My ex-wife is a Buddhist. My stepchildren, who are being raised by their father, are ultra-Orthodox Jews.
It's a fun bunch.
Quote from: statichaos on February 19, 2012, 10:59:39 PM
I know that I'm not an atheist, but this seems to have turned into more of a diversity thing, anyway.
I'm an agnostic theist, but consider myself Unitarian Universalist when it comes to denomination. My wife is Jewish by heritage, was raised as a hardcore fundamentalist Christian, and is now beginning to explore other possibilities after a necessary period of strong atheism. My best friend is atheist. Her ex-boyfriend (and father to my goddaughter) is Anglican, though he's now left his church due to a dispute with a priest, and is now searching for something else. My ex-wife is a Buddhist. My stepchildren, who are being raised by their father, are ultra-Orthodox Jews.
It's a fun bunch.
That really is a seriously mixed bag! :o
Quote from: statichaos on February 19, 2012, 10:59:39 PM
My wife is Jewish by heritage, was raised as a hardcore fundamentalist Christian
How did that happen?
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on February 19, 2012, 11:02:56 PM
Quote from: statichaos on February 19, 2012, 10:59:39 PM
My wife is Jewish by heritage, was raised as a hardcore fundamentalist Christian
How did that happen?
Her mother was raised secular, then became a Messianic Jew. My wife's upbringing was like something out of Jesus Camp, only with Passover added to the mix.
Quote from: Willow on February 18, 2012, 10:17:49 PM
I am the only one to have a religious friend? My close local mummy friend is a church going, tithing Christian and I love her very much. She is supportive and we both look after each other's children every now and then. She knows I'm an atheist and has never tried to convince me otherwise or invite me to church or the like.
Who else has a trust friendship with someone very religiously different?
Willow.
I have several christian friends, two of whom are pretty close. We share interests other than religion. While, I've never mentioned overtly that I am an atheist to more than one of them, I think that it's fairly obvious.
I told one christian friend that I have made plans to have something delivered to him at the appropriate time. I told him that it'll be a t-shirt that says, "My friend went to Hell, and all I got is this lousy T-shirt."
Quote from: statichaos on February 19, 2012, 10:59:39 PM
I know that I'm not an atheist, but this seems to have turned into more of a diversity thing, anyway.
I'm an agnostic theist, but consider myself Unitarian Universalist when it comes to denomination. My wife is Jewish by heritage, was raised as a hardcore fundamentalist Christian, and is now beginning to explore other possibilities after a necessary period of strong atheism. My best friend is atheist. Her ex-boyfriend (and father to my goddaughter) is Anglican, though he's now left his church due to a dispute with a priest, and is now searching for something else. My ex-wife is a Buddhist. My stepchildren, who are being raised by their father, are ultra-Orthodox Jews.
It's a fun bunch.
This is a side note, but I love the UU church. If I were going to get off my butt and seek out a community of people to hang with, I would totally go to a UU church. I've never met a Unitarian Universalist that didn't rock my socks off, and from what I understand it is A-OK to be a UU and an atheist at the same time.
Quote from: Ali on February 21, 2012, 12:20:41 AM
This is a side note, but I love the UU church. If I were going to get off my butt and seek out a community of people to hang with, I would totally go to a UU church. I've never met a Unitarian Universalist that didn't rock my socks off, and from what I understand it is A-OK to be a UU and an atheist at the same time.
When I was first reading up about UUs I found that the composition of parishoners varies so widely that some UU churches are largely or entirely atheist/agnostic (basically freethinker churches), some were Xtian/Jewish (the traditional mix) and some were humanist/Buddhist. The one in my city seems an even mix of Xtian, Buddhist and Pagan. "Blessed be" and "Namaste" get used a lot in the sermons and prayers.
I like "Amen", but I have an appreciation for some of the more traditional trappings, if not the traditional beliefs that spawned them.
Quote from: Willow on February 18, 2012, 10:17:49 PM
I am the only one to have a religious friend?
I think one of my friends may be religious, but we have this unspoken understanding - as long as he keeps it to himself, I don't mock the shit out of him for it.
Quote from: Tank on February 19, 2012, 04:01:38 PM
The other thing I am very proud of is the way my kids have grown up to be totally accepting of people irrespective of their race, sexual orientation and creed.
Hmmmmm. Funny how many atheists or those following a philosophy counter to Christianity have more of a propensity to follow this line than most of those who seem to preach it the most: Christians themselves.
I tip my hat to you Tank for a job well done.
Quote from: Truthseeker on February 26, 2012, 11:18:09 AM
Quote from: Tank on February 19, 2012, 04:01:38 PM
The other thing I am very proud of is the way my kids have grown up to be totally accepting of people irrespective of their race, sexual orientation and creed.
Hmmmmm. Funny how many atheists or those following a philosophy counter to Christianity have more of a propensity to follow this line than most of those who seem to preach it the most: Christians themselves.
I tip my hat to you Tank for a job well done.
Thank you. I think my wife had something to do with it as well ;D
I'm sure there are religious people in my life, but as long as they dont discuss it.
None of my close friends are religious though. I like it that way.
Quote from: Sweetdeath on February 26, 2012, 08:13:07 PM
I'm sure there are religious people in my life, but as long as they dont discuss it.
None of my close friends are religious though. I like it that way.
And by the same token, you'd never discuss your non-belief with them, yes?
Just wondering. I dunno, it seems odd to me, to have friendships with people where they're not free to talk about things with me. I wouldn't want to have to hide my ideas, concerns etc from them, either. But to each his or her own. :)