Expert: Clint - 1/1/2009

Question
I am a 16 year old, Christian guy, I have no interest in atheism. I don't want to convert atheists and I don't want to be one. I like everything about my faith, I like going to church, I like praying, I like believing in God and I don't care if someone thinks I am foolish. I'm pretty much not open to changing my beliefs. I have a friend who is an atheist and I like him a lot because we have much in common with the exception of our different beliefs. He says that my faith is ruining our friendship. I have never even worn a Christian T shirt but I do attend services every week and I do pray before my meals. I think the fact that I believe at all bothers him.

From your perspective as an Atheist is this something that will ruin the friendship?

Can I keep him as a friend without selling out my beliefs or pretending to?

Answer
First of all, you don't "convert" to atheism. Everyone is born atheist to begin with and you are indoctrinated by your parents or your community into their religious social order. To become atheist is to simply go back to default. I prefer the word "default" over atheist sometimes.

As for you and your friends issues, you did not expand on anything useful showing why there might be a problem at all. Any examples? I can only comment that I have pleasant relations with people of faith myself and I'm very much anti-organized religion. Maybe he has a problem or maybe you do, I don't know. Otherwise, it's best to just leave certain topics out of conversation that you know is not mutual. Yes, sometimes things are said that may be slightly treading on the other's opinion but I'm sure you can look past that unless it becomes a direct and deliberate attack.

As for keeping him as a friend without selling out your beliefs, it depends on your belief. Does it allow you to hang around evil godless men or are you supposed to stone us to death? If your Christian, then I think your already selling out. Atheists are evil and you should find "better" company to be friends with. Seriously, it's in your book of rules, the Bible, read Deuteronomy 17 and then stone your friend to death.