Would you associate with someone that has deliefs contrary to yours?

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Would you associate with someone that has beliefs contary to yours?

  • yes

    Votes: 26 83.9%

  • No

    Votes: 3 9.7%

  • Don't Know

    Votes: 2 6.5%
  • Total voters
    31
shineyourlight

shineyourlight

Senior Member
#21
May 25, 2015
6,119
821
113
#21
This is a tricky question.
I associate with all different beliefs.
Some are Muslim, some are buddhists, some are atheists.

All my close friends are Christians and that's just the way it has turned out. I didn't look around and say, "Oh, let's pick these people to be my friends." It just happened that way.

Now, would I date someone who's completely opposite of my beliefs? SO, basically, a different religion (Muslim) or no religion at all (atheist)? No, I couldn't. For my own convictions, I just can't.

But would I hang out with them? Absolutely! I"m not sure if you're talking about "dating" or if you're talking about associating in general. :)
 
jsr1221

jsr1221

Senior Member
#22
Jul 7, 2013
4,265
77
48
#22
Jesus had dinner with the worst of the worst. So, who are we to act self righteous and say "Sorry, you don't believe what I believe, you're not worthy to be associated with." That's the kind of attitude that gives Christians a bad name. And for the two people that voted no... I think you forgot when you were atheists. Just saying. You both should take a long look in the mirror.
 
Angela53510

Angela53510

Senior Member
#23
Jan 24, 2011
11,783
2,947
113
#23
How are we supposed to win the lost to Christ, if we don't make friends with them? Hand them a tract and walk away? Brow beat them until the crack under the pressure, without being allowed to say a word?

Not a good strategy for evangelism.

As for associating with Christians who differ from me in areas not including salvation, I have many friends here and in real life that have some very different views from me on theology. We are still good friends because of what we share in common. We respectfully discuss our differences and agree to disagree without anger or rancor.

As far at those who are really preaching "another gospel" I would try and win them back with the truth. But I probably wouldn't make them into my best friend.

There is no where in the Bible that God teaches isolationism. Even the Israelites were supposed to go out and share God with people. Yes, they did get compromised in serious and deadly ways. But that does not mean the principles were not sound.

I wonder what would have happened to Christianity if Paul had decided to isolate himself from unbelievers and those who did not share the same doctrine that God had taught him? Well, I guess we wouldn't have the epistles, and Christianity would not have spread!
 
shineyourlight

shineyourlight

Senior Member
#24
May 25, 2015
6,119
821
113
#24
shineyourlight said:
This is a tricky question.
I associate with all different beliefs.
Some are Muslim, some are buddhists, some are atheists.

All my close friends are Christians and that's just the way it has turned out. I didn't look around and say, "Oh, let's pick these people to be my friends." It just happened that way.

Now, would I date someone who's completely opposite of my beliefs? SO, basically, a different religion (Muslim) or no religion at all (atheist)? No, I couldn't. For my own convictions, I just can't.

But would I hang out with them? Absolutely! I"m not sure if you're talking about "dating" or if you're talking about associating in general. :)
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And, I also hang out with people who aren't as strong in their faith. Love each other as Christ loved us.

I talked to a girl I met at a restaurant. I felt led to pray for her (This hardly happens). She broke down crying, and as we swapped phone numbers and Facebooks, I realized she's not a Christian. However, I have hung out with her, inviting her to come to church with me, or just to grab coffee.

Don't not reach out because someone isn't a believer. Go do it. People need the love Christ. Simple as that.
 
jsr1221

jsr1221

Senior Member
#25
Jul 7, 2013
4,265
77
48
#25
shineyourlight said:
And, I also hang out with people who aren't as strong in their faith. Love each other as Christ loved us.

I talked to a girl I met at a restaurant. I felt led to pray for her (This hardly happens). She broke down crying, and as we swapped phone numbers and Facebooks, I realized she's not a Christian. However, I have hung out with her, inviting her to come to church with me, or just to grab coffee.

Don't not reach out because someone isn't a believer. Go do it. People need the love Christ. Simple as that.
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It reminds me of the movie To Save a Life... Which would have to be one of my three favorites actually. Ha-ha.
 
S

Siberian_Khatru

Guest
#26
#26
Simply put: Yes.

And just about everyone else associates likewise. Like minded-ness is subjective, after all.
 
BruceWayne

BruceWayne

Senior Member
#27
Aug 7, 2013
3,694
357
83
Gotham City
#27
Within reason and depending on the beliefs. If it's strictly different religious beliefs, I wouldn't deny a friendship/association because of that. Would I associate myself with someone who likes to drink, go to casinos, and hates peanut butter? No, because I don't believe in those things and would not have any interest in being around them. Bad company corrupts good character. It really comes down to character and morals for me.

Would I reach out to them? Unlikely. Is that wrong? To each his own. But, that's just the way I am. #sorrynotsorry :p
 
jsr1221

jsr1221

Senior Member
#28
Jul 7, 2013
4,265
77
48
#28
BruceWayne said:
Within reason and depending on the beliefs. If it's strictly different religious beliefs, I wouldn't deny a friendship/association because of that. Would I associate myself with someone who likes to drink, go to casinos, and hates peanut butter? No, because I don't believe in those things and would not have any interest in being around them. Bad company corrupts good character. It really comes down to character and morals for me.

Would I reach out to them? Unlikely. Is that wrong? To each his own. But, that's just the way I am. #sorrynotsorry :p
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I think there's a balance to what you say. Jesus says to be careful around others... But, we all can't bat an eye and look the other way and be bystanders. Bad things happen when we so that... So I think it's important to pick and choose, because Christ does call us to make disciples, and how are we going to if we don't reach out? Sometimes, yes, that calls for us to be put in uncomfortable situations.
 
I

Is

Guest
#29
#29
AceMichaels said:
I have to agree. To avoid people over differences is not what Jesus did. Did he not hang out with tax collectors, drunks, and prostitutes? I'm not saying he partook in these things, but the sick need a healer.
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Do you think he hung out with them and didn't try and show them what was pleasing to God?, he just hung out with them?
 
BruceWayne

BruceWayne

Senior Member
#30
Aug 7, 2013
3,694
357
83
Gotham City
#30
jsr1221 said:
I think there's a balance to what you say. Jesus says to be careful around others... But, we all can't bat an eye and look the other way and be bystanders. Bad things happen when we so that... So I think it's important to pick and choose, because Christ does call us to make disciples, and how are we going to if we don't reach out? Sometimes, yes, that calls for us to be put in uncomfortable situations.
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True. I can't disagree with any of that. That's just my choice not to and I make no apologies for it. Would I invite them to church or something in passing? Sure. But, as far as ''associating'' myself with them, it just wouldn't happen.
 
I

Is

Guest
#31
#31
AceMichaels said:
That's their choice! We plant the seeds, God produces the yield. Kind of hard to save a saint don't you think?
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And if there is no yield in a person, what then?
 
jsr1221

jsr1221

Senior Member
#32
Jul 7, 2013
4,265
77
48
#32
BruceWayne said:
True. I can't disagree with any of that. That's just my choice not to and I make no apologies for it. Would I invite them to church or something in passing? Sure. But, as far as ''associating'' myself with them, it just wouldn't happen.
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As you said. To each their own. It's nice to see a common ground of inviting the person to church, at least.
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#33
Nov 24, 2012
30,707
3,650
113
#33
I had for 40 years at work associated with non believers and heterodox, so why change now?...as a matter of fact I once was one :p
 
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AceMichaels

AceMichaels

Banned
#34
Aug 21, 2015
196
1
0
#34
BruceWayne said:
Within reason and depending on the beliefs. If it's strictly different religious beliefs, I wouldn't deny a friendship/association because of that. Would I associate myself with someone who likes to drink, go to casinos, and hates peanut butter? No, because I don't believe in those things and would not have any interest in being around them. Bad company corrupts good character. It really comes down to character and morals for me.

Would I reach out to them? Unlikely. Is that wrong? To each his own. But, that's just the way I am. #sorrynotsorry :p
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I get what you mean! I don't particularly like country music being a rocker myself. Yet I have friends that just love the stuff. They are moral people and great conversationalists. I don't sweat the little things
 
RickyZ

RickyZ

Senior Member
#36
Sep 20, 2012
9,635
787
113
#36
ember said:
my husband and I don't even believe 'exactly' the same LOL!

different beliefs make for good discussion...no?
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And lots and lots of Bible Discussion threads!
 
RickyZ

RickyZ

Senior Member
#37
Sep 20, 2012
9,635
787
113
#37
Is said:
If you tried to help someone that fits your criterion, what would you do if they habitually refused good counsel?
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As one who habitually refuses good counsel he should know...
 
RickyZ

RickyZ

Senior Member
#38
Sep 20, 2012
9,635
787
113
#38
Is said:
What if the people in need of healing refused to be healed?
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Then shake the dust from your feet and walk away.

Or do like I do with Rog and poke fun at them incessantly ;)
 
AceMichaels

AceMichaels

Banned
#40
Aug 21, 2015
196
1
0
#40
Is said:
Do you think he hung out with them and didn't try and show them what was pleasing to God?, he just hung out with them?
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Of course he did! He talked with them about the Kingdom and didn't judge them from the onset. Its the churchy people that seem to have a hard time approaching people not like them, imo
 
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