What's best way to let a guy down without hurting his feelings?

say this I JUST WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH YOU. Ultimate blow to a mans ego but hey if you just want to be friends then tell him. He might give you the bird and not talk to you anymore but hey do what you gotta do.

This is one of the benefits of courting, verses dating. If you were courting, your dad would be the fall guy, since he would have to show his respect for you by meeting and asking permission from your dad. If you didn't want to be more than friends, you would let your dad know and he could be the fall guy, protecting both of you from the fallout that is typical in dating.

However, since you are probably not courting, there is no way to keep from hurting his feelings. In fact, unless you do this prayerfully, with God's help, he will experience a lot of pain. I know because I have been there, done that, and God has had me grieve it so He could heal it. I don't know either of you, but God does. He is the only one who knows exactly what needs said, in what way, when. Talk to Him about it. Then listen for the still, small, voice that differentiates between a person and their behavior/attributes. God will give you a way to encourage him, for real, not just with empty words. However, be careful because the enemy will be trying to undermine the healthy with unhealthy and hurtful accusations. He will try to accuse you as not giving him a chance, being cruel, etc. Disregard these lies, since you are a wonderful, precious, kind and gentle person God created.

Let God use you to speak kindness and gentleness into his spirit, even while clarifying that you are not romantically inclined toward him, for now. You may even feel like clarifying the "for now." One thing I have learned is that we never know who God is preparing us for, until we meet them, if we are willing to let Him have the lead in our lives. When we do, He makes it more than worthwhile.

Honesty is the best policy. Tell him the truth and do it in the most absolute nicest way you can.

Well I had a friend like that. Just talk to him as friends and set the difference between just friends and likin someone. Even though its cliche you should actual say how you feel and tell him that you two can just be friends.Also tell him that he's cool or something nice about him.