Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Vylo · 06-30-2003, 08:56 AM

I am not sure how much variety you guys have in your friendships, but do you think that a group of friends with very diffferent ideologies pertaining to religious belief/disbelief can get along with a low amount of friction?

Speaking for myself I am going to my one friend's house with a bunch of people to play D&D (yeah yeah im still a nerd like that

). What I find interesting is how well we get along considering how different some of our beliefs are.

I am positive atheist, then there is a negative atheist, an agnostic, a spiritual theist, a presbityrian (sp?), and a born again christian.

Despite these differences in beliefs we all seem to get along fine, which gives me some hope for the future, how do all of you feel? Do you have a large amount of ideological variety in your group of friends? Do you all get along? Do you tend to isolate yourself from those of different beliefs? Do you think the world at large can be home to all of these beliefs at once, with a relative level of peace?

Arken · 06-30-2003, 09:44 AM

Religion almost never comes up in my conversations with most people so it's never been much of an issue for me. My wife's family (except for her and maybe one or two others) is very fundamentalist (Assembly of God) but they've never pushed their beliefs on me and I've never discussed mine with them so we're all happy.

ajm51987 · 06-30-2003, 11:22 AM

Ive got a mormon and a "general" christan friend, that I hang out with at lunch. We taked about religion twice, and that was the end of it. We usally have a great time.

wildernesse · 06-30-2003, 11:28 AM

When I began college, the people I became close friends with were of several different stripes of people--from very conservative Southern Baptists to atheists and agnostics. We all got along pretty well--which didn't mean that we didn't argue, in fact, we spent much of our time debating and talking about religion and politics. Since we were mostly comprised of people who enjoyed that, it wasn't a problem in our getting along. So there was a great deal of friction, but our group really thrived on it, I think--and most times it was a springboard for learning, instead of a negative thing. Of course, sometimes you learned that people in the group thought that men and dinosaurs walked together in Texas--and sometimes you learn that there are intelligent Christians.

I, for one, am very happy when I am surrounded by people who are different from me--in beliefs and politics and how they see the world in general.

--tibac

Arken · 06-30-2003, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wildernesse
I, for one, am very happy when I am surrounded by people who are different from me--in beliefs and politics and how they see the world in general.

An excellent point. The world would certainly be a very boring place if there were no differing opinions or viewpoints.

EstherRose · 06-30-2003, 02:32 PM

Among my friends and relatives, Islam, Jewish, Native American traditional/peyote, atheist, Christian fundamental, Catholic, Mormon. We discuss freely, and that includes religion. We have great times together and we care about each other.

emotional · 06-30-2003, 03:56 PM

There is absolutely no coexistence of any kind between secular Jews and religious (Orthodox) Jews. Because of the dietary laws (kashrut), religious Jews don't even come to eat at the place of secular Jews. Secular and religious live in separate neighborhoods and seldom come together. Intermarriage is, of course, unheard of.

Rational BAC · 06-30-2003, 04:04 PM

Not sure in what area you are representing there Emotional but-------

----I am not that familiar with orthodox Judaism I guess. You mean the guys with the beards? If so I guess I don't know any and cannot relate to that. The Jews in this area seem to coexist. Maybe they are all secular Jews? I doubt that somehow.

Are there more divisions in Judaism besides secular and orthodox? Maybe I am missing something?

Please be more specific.

Sabine Grant · 06-30-2003, 07:06 PM

Bonsoir Vylo..... thanks for making that observation. I cannot imagine having lived my life without appreciating differences and finding great benefit in having friends from various backgrounds.

I mostly seek people who are different from me. I reserve my faith moments for exchanges with other christians.

I believe that peaceful coexistence should be the focus of all.... if we set aside the ego, all is possible. There are common goals between different people. That is where the focus should be ... on what can be accomplished in common.

Opera Nut · 06-30-2003, 08:54 PM

I've learned to avoid pushy Christians because of extremely traumatic experiences with both strangers and relatives.

06-30-2003, 08:56 AM	#1
Vylo Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: washington, NJ 07882 Posts: 253	Peaceful coexistence? I am not sure how much variety you guys have in your friendships, but do you think that a group of friends with very diffferent ideologies pertaining to religious belief/disbelief can get along with a low amount of friction? Speaking for myself I am going to my one friend's house with a bunch of people to play D&D (yeah yeah im still a nerd like that ). What I find interesting is how well we get along considering how different some of our beliefs are. I am positive atheist, then there is a negative atheist, an agnostic, a spiritual theist, a presbityrian (sp?), and a born again christian. Despite these differences in beliefs we all seem to get along fine, which gives me some hope for the future, how do all of you feel? Do you have a large amount of ideological variety in your group of friends? Do you all get along? Do you tend to isolate yourself from those of different beliefs? Do you think the world at large can be home to all of these beliefs at once, with a relative level of peace?

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06-30-2003, 09:44 AM	#2
Arken Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 6,303	Religion almost never comes up in my conversations with most people so it's never been much of an issue for me. My wife's family (except for her and maybe one or two others) is very fundamentalist (Assembly of God) but they've never pushed their beliefs on me and I've never discussed mine with them so we're all happy.

06-30-2003, 11:22 AM	#3
ajm51987 Regular Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Seattle, USA Posts: 245	Ive got a mormon and a "general" christan friend, that I hang out with at lunch. We taked about religion twice, and that was the end of it. We usally have a great time.

06-30-2003, 11:28 AM	#4
wildernesse Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,578	When I began college, the people I became close friends with were of several different stripes of people--from very conservative Southern Baptists to atheists and agnostics. We all got along pretty well--which didn't mean that we didn't argue, in fact, we spent much of our time debating and talking about religion and politics. Since we were mostly comprised of people who enjoyed that, it wasn't a problem in our getting along. So there was a great deal of friction, but our group really thrived on it, I think--and most times it was a springboard for learning, instead of a negative thing. Of course, sometimes you learned that people in the group thought that men and dinosaurs walked together in Texas--and sometimes you learn that there are intelligent Christians. I, for one, am very happy when I am surrounded by people who are different from me--in beliefs and politics and how they see the world in general. --tibac

06-30-2003, 02:32 PM	#6
EstherRose Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 183	Among my friends and relatives, Islam, Jewish, Native American traditional/peyote, atheist, Christian fundamental, Catholic, Mormon. We discuss freely, and that includes religion. We have great times together and we care about each other.

06-30-2003, 03:56 PM	#7
emotional Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Boxing ring of HaShem, Jesus and Allah Posts: 1,945	There is absolutely no coexistence of any kind between secular Jews and religious (Orthodox) Jews. Because of the dietary laws (kashrut), religious Jews don't even come to eat at the place of secular Jews. Secular and religious live in separate neighborhoods and seldom come together. Intermarriage is, of course, unheard of.

06-30-2003, 04:04 PM	#8
Rational BAC Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa Bay area Posts: 3,471	Not sure in what area you are representing there Emotional but------- ----I am not that familiar with orthodox Judaism I guess. You mean the guys with the beards? If so I guess I don't know any and cannot relate to that. The Jews in this area seem to coexist. Maybe they are all secular Jews? I doubt that somehow. Are there more divisions in Judaism besides secular and orthodox? Maybe I am missing something? Please be more specific.

06-30-2003, 07:06 PM	#9
Sabine Grant Talk Freethought Staff Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 32,364	Bonsoir Vylo..... thanks for making that observation. I cannot imagine having lived my life without appreciating differences and finding great benefit in having friends from various backgrounds. I mostly seek people who are different from me. I reserve my faith moments for exchanges with other christians. I believe that peaceful coexistence should be the focus of all.... if we set aside the ego, all is possible. There are common goals between different people. That is where the focus should be ... on what can be accomplished in common.

06-30-2003, 08:54 PM	#10
Opera Nut Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houston TX Posts: 1,671	I've learned to avoid pushy Christians because of extremely traumatic experiences with both strangers and relatives.

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