Should Christians be friends with non-Christians?

jc4ever · Post by **jc4ever** » Sun Nov 14, 2004 9:57 pm

My question centers upon the issue of friendships between Christians and Heathens. I know that we, as the chosen people of God, should love those that are not as smart as us for believing in the grace, mercy, and ever-lasting love of the Son, the Father, and the Holy Ghost. However, how far should this love extend? Friendships with non-believers can lead to dangerous things in life: drugs, alcohol, pre-marital sex, and, even worse, doubting the Truth of God and his mercies that extend forever. Should Christians chance the loss of salvation by spending time and being exposed to the soul endangering immoral lifestyles of the un-enlightened? I think not. As 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (Taken from Biblegateway.com)

Greatest I Am · Post by **Greatest I Am** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:33 am

jc4ever wrote:My question centers upon the issue of friendships between Christians and Heathens. I know that we, as the chosen people of God, should love those that are not as smart as us for believing in the grace, mercy, and ever-lasting love of the Son, the Father, and the Holy Ghost. However, how far should this love extend? Friendships with non-believers can lead to dangerous things in life: drugs, alcohol, pre-marital sex, and, even worse, doubting the Truth of God and his mercies that extend forever. Should Christians chance the loss of salvation by spending time and being exposed to the soul endangering immoral lifestyles of the un-enlightened? I think not. As 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (Taken from Biblegateway.com)

Jesus was asked the same when He hung out with the publicans.
His reply was that all needed salvation.
God makes all souls Perfect.
Who are we to reject any of them. After all, we are all destined for Heaven, even the heathen.
Thank God all of God's works are Perfect.

Regards
D

Assent · Post by **Assent** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:16 pm

jc4ever wrote:My question centers upon the issue of friendships between Christians and Heathens. I know that we, as the chosen people of God, should love those that are not as smart as us for believing in the grace, mercy, and ever-lasting love of the Son, the Father, and the Holy Ghost. However, how far should this love extend? Friendships with non-believers can lead to dangerous things in life: drugs, alcohol, pre-marital sex, and, even worse, doubting the Truth of God and his mercies that extend forever. Should Christians chance the loss of salvation by spending time and being exposed to the soul endangering immoral lifestyles of the un-enlightened? I think not. As 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (Taken from Biblegateway.com)

Hmm. A single post...
from three years ago...
A screen name that lacks all subtlety...
And an obviously inflammatory message that is not backed up by anyone else responding...

Who is behind that mask, I wonder?

Also, isn't it said by some Christians that even the saints had their moments of doubt? If the best examples could not find 100% faith, what hope have those who follow?

Blood On Your Hands · Post by **Blood On Your Hands** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:08 am

jc4ever wrote:My question centers upon the issue of friendships between Christians and Heathens. I know that we, as the chosen people of God, should love those that are not as smart as us for believing in the grace, mercy, and ever-lasting love of the Son, the Father, and the Holy Ghost. However, how far should this love extend? Friendships with non-believers can lead to dangerous things in life: drugs, alcohol, pre-marital sex, and, even worse, doubting the Truth of God and his mercies that extend forever. Should Christians chance the loss of salvation by spending time and being exposed to the soul endangering immoral lifestyles of the un-enlightened? I think not. As 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (Taken from Biblegateway.com)

If you refer to Athiests as 'Heathens', insult their intelligence, fear that they will corrupt you with drugs, alcohol and pre-marital sex, and that they don't share your belief in the supernatural I say stay away. The only reason why you would be friends with an Athiest is to convert them, which would quickly end the friendship.

If your that disgusted, why bother?

Fallibleone · Post by **Fallibleone** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:14 am

Never mind whether Christians should befriend 'Heathens'. What makes a Christian with the attitudes expressed above think that a 'Heathen' such as myself would want such a myopic, egotistical individual as a friend? We're not all sitting about in some waiting room hoping you'll come along, have pity on us and grace us with your friendship. If someone has such a low opinion of me, I'd have to be out of my tree to want to befriend them.

Mcstar51 · Post by **Mcstar51** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:44 am

jc4ever wrote:However, how far should this love extend? Friendships with non-believers can lead to dangerous things in life: drugs, alcohol, pre-marital sex, and, even worse, doubting the Truth of God and his mercies that extend forever. (Taken from Biblegateway.com)

So you believe that because I am a non believer that I am likely to be into things like drugs and alcohol? There ARE people into those things and some of them are christians, not just non believers.
Secondly, why can't all religions and beliefs just get along with each other? If we all stuck with people exactly like us we would never learn to accept other ideas or ever learn new things. I am a non believer but I am friends with some christians so I have learnt to accept who they are and accept something that I don't believe to be true. If I didn't know them then I would most probably be accusing you of being wrong. Which I'm not.
So I think it is important to get along with everyone because it makes you more tolerant of everyone in society. Thanks.

Almsivi · Post by **Almsivi** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:41 pm

Surely the Christians should befriends all mankind.

Jesus said- You are the light of the world!

Shine, an glow!

Simon_Peter · Post by **Simon_Peter** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:29 pm

My question centers upon the issue of friendships between Christians and Heathens. I know that we, as the chosen people of God, should love those that are not as smart as us for believing in the grace, mercy, and ever-lasting love of the Son, the Father, and the Holy Ghost. However, how far should this love extend? Friendships with non-believers can lead to dangerous things in life: drugs, alcohol, pre-marital sex, and, even worse, doubting the Truth of God and his mercies that extend forever. Should Christians chance the loss of salvation by spending time and being exposed to the soul endangering immoral lifestyles of the un-enlightened? I think not. As 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"

Well when in doubt, do as Jesus did. ...Help everyone, if friendship would help then so be it, however i also live in the real world. And if that person is really bad news, then F**k them off, and never look back. As you might land yourself in a worse situation. Being shot, getting molested, beaten up, verbally abused and so on... Some people are beyond our effort to help.

Simon

Vanguard · Post by **Vanguard** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:12 am

jc4ever wrote:My question centers upon the issue of friendships between Christians and Heathens. I know that we, as the chosen people of God, should love those that are not as smart as us for believing in the grace, mercy, and ever-lasting love of the Son, the Father, and the Holy Ghost. However, how far should this love extend? Friendships with non-believers can lead to dangerous things in life: drugs, alcohol, pre-marital sex, and, even worse, doubting the Truth of God and his mercies that extend forever. Should Christians chance the loss of salvation by spending time and being exposed to the soul endangering immoral lifestyles of the un-enlightened? I think not. As 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (Taken from Biblegateway.com)

Zoinkers, you're really big into this "us vs them" thing! I've known many a Christian who did not bolster me to a higher standard as well as may a "heathen" (interesting how matter-of-fact you use this term!

) who enlivened me in a spiritual way. I think you make way too much of this distinction between those who have accepted Christ and those who have not.

elva · Post by **elva** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:56 pm

So you call all non - Christians "heathens"? It has never been my understanding of Christianity that we humans were put here on earth to judge each other. Any experience we have in our lives has the ability to broaden each of us and that includes people of all races and creeds. Are those of you who don't associate with non-Christians afraid you will be pulled to the "other side"? It would seem to me that if you are a "stalwart" Christian, the possibility of that happening would not be a worry. What am I missing here?

Simon_Peter · Post by **Simon_Peter** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:19 am

Hey there,

Well what do you think. There are some individuals not worthy of friendship.

But in the end this will not come down to their religion. It will be in their physical make up. Do they preach about religion wrong, do they do bad things.

But if you met a good Christian. i don't see a reason why not. Become a Samaritan but don't expose yourself to risk.

Debating Christianity and Religion