I consider religion to be a fable. If you are a believer, could you be friends with someone like me?

[Julie4]

[lightbulb27]

yes, I've had non religious friends, I don't mind talking about things. My wife doesn't have same beliefs as me.

As long as it's thoughtful and respectful of each's views, it's not a problem. At some point... choices are made, and those beliefs hold a person in a frame of reference. That can create friction, or not.

I've had more issue with other people of same religion... because other reasons like how they view something or their emotional issues vs mine. Everyone is unique... more like their own broken prism reflecting light, in their own way.

I once had no beliefs as well and thought it was BS.

[DishLady]

--> Organized religion is fallible because it's constructed BY human beings, so by definition it's flawed. Compounded by centuries of translation and re-writing... as well as whatever patriarchal perspectives were prevalent at the time... and you'll find that the basis of several major religions is flawed.

--> HOWEVER, if you know how to unearth the "spirit of the law" (the meaning and intension of the written word) rather than harping on the "letter of the law" (the verbatim wording), you'll find a great deal of beauty in the texts as well as a fairly reliable moral compass.

--> The problem today is that WAY too many people justify their poor behavior and warped vision of the world by twisting the words found in religious scriptures to suit their needs. It's things like this that cause a fallout between people and the organized religions.

[Caroline91]

I wouldn't be quoting verses to you from the books of any religion, including the one I follow. But if we found we had things in common, sure. I guess I'd want to know if you could be friends with someone like me?

[blueonblack22]

There is atheism and ANTItheism. Sounds like you might be the latter.

I believe in free will and freedom of religion. Jesus never taught his followers to persecute non-believers. Believe what you want because it’s your choice if you want to have a relationship with Jesus or not.

But there is a growing radical ANTItheism going on western culture right now. These people not only want to just do their thing but they actively attack and persecute believers. That I have a major problem with.

[sawno]

I'm a believer but not of the formal religions which I consider fables with deeper truth hidden within them. I have religious friends, I have non religious friends. My beliefs put me more in the middle so I can typically be friends with anyone of any belief. Its because my beliefs have a foundation that we aren't supposed to know that answer for sure and nobody knows the correct answer for certain. So if your answer is "there's nothing" that fine, if your answer is "There might be something" I get more excited because I think that's the way to find glimpses of what's really there.

[abc3643]

The thing about deities is that their existence and NON-existence cannot be proven nor disproven. It is simply not possible from a logical perspective.

I guess I am a "It's irrelevant-ist". My morality is not based on the alleged wishes of some deity. Instead, my instincts and STEM knowledge make me be driven towards acting to solve the optimization problem of maximizing the probability of survival of our species while trying to minimize suffering and maximizing freedom, all in that order.

[abc3643]

So, to answer your question: Yes, it's no problem. Do I "believe"? Maybe. But, again, to me, it's irrelevant. My actions are my own and not based on deities and their perceived desires.

[Jersey2]

Yes, non-religious people are fine. Just don’t think you are smarter than me as you may find yourself outgunned intellectually. I find it laughable at how so many think themselves intellectually superior when they simply quote some website and have no real life accomplishments/successes that show their intellectual prowess. It’s laughable because they believe it because someone tells them they are the smart ones and they BELIEVE it. Too funny. And I won’t try and convert you as I don’t really give a sh! t what you believe. It seems some want the attention of being converted and get nasty. Attention whores.

[purplepoppy]

I see religion in a similar way. It's how our ancestors made sense of their world given their lack of knowledge. It also provided a social framework that would bring harmony to a region. Religion is a actually good thing if you ignore the god bit.

[LiamJHayden]

It is a fable, or a myth. Neither of which necessarily makes it false, as J. R. R. Tolkien pointed out.

And I have have friends who are monotheists, polytheists, atheists, and agnostics. As long as people are not obnoxious I can be friendly with them.

[RyanEC]

Of course.


I consider myself a Deist like Voltaire more or less.


I don’t like super exclusionary religions fundamentalists or super anti theists but I could be friends with anyone in between.

[OlderAndWiser]

Of course. Despite how we are portrayed by the MSM, many Christians are quite tolerant of divergent opinions.

[Agape93]

Yeah. My girlfriend is about as religious as Christopher hitchens

[MicahRaine]

Yes I could be friends with you.

I've been friends with people like you before, and it does lead to some quite interesting conversations :)

[Serkee]

If you're referring to Christianity, then the people who tell you no need to start studying the bible. Christians are encouraged to befriend nonbelievers.

[Simslover92]

Sure. You not being a believer wouldn't stop me from being friends with you. As long as you are morally good then I see no problem with what you don't believe in.

[FunkyMonkee]

Well, it IS!! If someone's in dire need of some specific help in their life, referring to or quoting a clip from a religious text of any kind is no more helpful to them than referring to an equally appropriate segment from a Dr. Seuss book!

[Chazmatazz269]

Could you be friends with someone with a blatant disrespect for something in which you are deeply invested?


Nobody likes a hypocrite.

[Serkee]

There's a big difference between disrespecting someone's faith and simply not sharing it. Just because she considers religion to be a fable doesn't mean she insults it, makes fun of it, or belittles people who believe in it. There's no hypocrisy in that, she just doesn't believe in religion.

[Chazmatazz269]

Calling the source of another person’s moral fiber a “fable” is ABSOLUTELY disrespectful. You should understand the English language better before coming at me with this half-baked BS.

[Serkee]

A fable is a story written to convey a moral. That's not disrespectful.

[Chazmatazz269]

Clearly we disagree. I’m betting you’re not religious. I’m also betting that if i so disrespectfully reduced ANYTHING you care about so casually you’d come unglued. You’re a hypocrite and a liar, and i’m done with you.

[Caroline91]

One can respectfully not believe in something...

[Caroline91]

@chazmatazz269 "Let your speech always be gracious, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." (Colossians 4:6 NASB)

[Chazmatazz269]

Calling a religious scripture a “fable” is blatantly disrespectful by any reasonable measure. The clown that retorted doesn’t understand the English language nearly as well as he thinks he does and if YOU suggest OP or my troll are correct, YOU are equally ignorant. Just say the word and i’ll block your dumb ass too.

[Caroline91]

Well, I won't say the word because I would rather find a way to try to understand one another and to relate to you in a way that you find respectful. Peace?

[Chazmatazz269]

The moon landing is about as perfect an example as can be made. Say i called that a “fable”. You in? ‘Yes’ or ‘no’ is all i need.

[Caroline91]

No, but respectfully.

[Chazmatazz269]

Hahaha!!!

Alright then. As you were.

[Caroline91]

Why thank you, Sir...

[thatshydork]

Pretty much none of my super close friends are believers and yet I’m a Christian so yeah, absolutely!

[BCRanger10]

I've had good relationships and associations with plenty of people over the years who are either agnostics or atheists.

[BoopBoopBeep]

Depends on how you handle it. As long as you aren't talking about how dumb we are all the time, you do you.

[RavVid]

I don't see why personal beliefs should interfere though am not a believer myself.

[AmeeliahLeh]

Ye, all my friends are non believers xD, honestly I say as long as you are being rude to me about be religious it's good.

[Guacamole409]

I know you won't reply, but are you talking about religion or God.

[sage2021]

No and the bible says not to even eat with people like you.
So that's a big NO from me.

[RyanEC]

Grow up.

Your Bible condones slavery, pedophilia, genocide and sexism.

You probably look the other way or are too dense to notice your priest or pastor grooming children in the church.

Your grandchildren will probably outgrow your outdated religion and you can’t do anything to stop that.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@sage2021 Paul was addressing sexual immorality within the Corinthian church. This is the verse you are referring to, for context:

1 Corinthians 5:9-13

"I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.

For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

Another scripture that is pertinent is Matthew 9:10-13

"Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

[sage2021]

TheRealPepperPots
Oh, I am so glad you sent me this scripture because in my heart of hearts I believed that we should be around people that are not yet saved. And the way we do this is by being a good example and for us to tell them about Jesus and to guide them to becoming saved so they go to heaven when they die.
I wrote down where that scripture can be found.
So a big thank you to you for helping me get it right 🙂🙏☮️

[sage2021]

@RyanEC
Please read below the response from @TheRealPepperPotts
She set the record straight by bringing bible verses here and set me straight
Please read her reply.

If I have offended tou you in any way I do apologize for my mistake.
Thank you.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@sage2021 Of course! I'm glad it was helpful and happy it helped. :D

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@sage2021 You're a sweetheart. :)

[sage2021]

@TheRealPepperPotts
Aww! Thank you 😊.
You are very sweet and helpful too. Thank you again!

[Caroline91]

@sage2021 I believe the teaching you are referring to is in regard to people who claim to be believers, which does not apply here. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 New Living Translation (NLT)
I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don't even eat with such people.

Additionally eating with non-believers is specifically addressed. 1 Corinthians 10:27 Amplified Bible (AMP). 1 Corinthians 10:27 Amplified Bible (AMP). If one of the unbelievers invites you [to a meal at his home] and you want to go, eat whatever is served to you without asking questions for the sake of your conscience.

[HaveNoName]

I might make a big effort to keep the friendship nornal but I know deep down, I would get realy irritated by comments and opinion here and there.

[loveslongnails]

Sure, why not? I know lots of wonderful people who are either atheists or agnostics. Now that I think about it, there are more religious people I know who are shitheads, than not! LOL

[slatyb]

I'm a non-believer. I can be friends with a believer but I would never date one.

[foxsquirrell]

I'm sure if you're hot, you'll find lots of guys who don't care, or are prepared to put your atheism aside for whatever reason they concoct in their minds. lol

[Dargil]

If you did not outwardly disrespect my faith, sure.

[Iron_Man]

If you’re an atheist, I don’t want friendship from anybody

[Julie4]

Good

[Sasquach]

Spirituality is the practice of repentance, nobody is perfect we are all sinners. As one sinner to another, I see no reason we couldn't be friends

[handsomelad70]

Yes, if you aren't an agnostic or atheist fanatic, who are as nutty as religious fanatics.

[Julian7312]

I think believers and nonbelievers can always be friends.

[msc545]

religious beliefs are private or should be.

[Serkee]

Why should they be? I'm not religious, but if I were, why shouldn't I let that be known? Should you keep the fact that you're not religious private?

[Anonymous]

I'm not a believer and I could be friends with you.

[Anonymous]

I believe all religion is a form of social control

[DJB72]

Friends, yes. Nothing more

[strateguy632]

I agree see my mytake of today.

[NathanDavis]

I'm friends with either... as an agnostic

[ChicoFromThe305]

Yea as long as they are respectful

[Jennz6]

I’m a believer for sure

[Jamie05rhs]

Yes, I could! As long as you are respectful!

[OtterMan68]

No, you belittle my most cherised belief

[Serkee]

I don't see how not sharing someone's belief is belittling it.

[OtterMan68]

@Serkee telling me my most cherished belief is just a fable is belittling. Might as well tell me it's like believing in the Easter Bunny.

[Serkee]

Saying you think something is a fable doesn't mean you think it's goofy, fun, or whimsical. It just means you think it's a story written to convey a moral. That's not belittling, that's just saying you don't believe it's real. That's much more respectful than saying it's a lie, no?

[Staximus]

It's a fable for dingbats

[Deserter2]

As long as you're not obnoxious about it

[TheRealPepperPotts]

Of course.