I've always thought that religion is a barrier between people, what do you think? ?

Question

I always find it hard to reach out and have a real friendship with people having strong religious affiliations.

Answer 1

it must be your barrier then.

Answer 2

One of severally different barriers is religion, also physical differences, money, s*x, large bodies of water, and government type.

Answer 3

Sorry to hear that.

Do you have bodies in your freezer?

God love you!

Answer 4

I can see your dilemma.  But I don't think religion is the problem here.  It is pride that holds the hearts of so many people that is the barrier.  Christ (devoid of pride and full of humility) sat with the "publicans and sinners" and invited ALL to come unto him.  It is SO true that many people with strong religious affiliations can get very defensive.  But I think the real barrier is in the individual.

Answer 5

Then try a different approach;-} share what you believe.

But don't look for differences, look for common threads.

Answer 6

I totally agree with you.  I think religion sucks!  Religion is man-made and man-strive.  Its all about what you have to do, rather than what God has done for us.

You see, I am a Christian and Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with the Father.  All other beliefs are founded upon man's attempts to earn their way into heaven, reaching to God.  In Christianity, its about God reaching to man and allowing man to receive eternal life by believing and receiving Jesus into one's life.  No great work needs to be performed and its not a life long endeavor.  Its not a matter of having a question mark over your head, when you die and stand before God, wondering if you made it or not, but a period.

Its the most amazing thing to know where you will go when you die with absolute certainly.  I don't doubt it what-so-ever!  Once Jesus has come into one's life and terraformed it into something that is worth something, you know for certainly where you came from and where you will be going.  You are given a peace of mind that surpasses all comprehension, which guards your heart, soul, and mind.

Until you know this peace, that only comes from Jesus, you are left striving on your own, trying to find happiness in a hopeless world.

Answer 7

Its true.Religion leads to discrimination between people.People often think their religion is the "right" one and thus other people that don't believe the same as them are either wrong or even evil.Religion leads to misunderstandings and intolerance between human beings.

Answer 8

Yes it can be.

Answer 9

There are many barriers/hurdles in life

Men/women

Black/white

Old/young

You name it, there it is.

Answer 10

Jesus has removed the hatred I have, so that I can help anyone.

I could not say this before.

Answer 11

It's the same with politics.

Mankind has troubles getting along because we have troubles with:

1.  Admitting we're wrong.

2.  Thinking outside the box and having an open mind.

3.  Seeing things from other people's perspectives.

4.  Swallowing our pride.

Religion is one of those issues with so many people who think they know everything there is to know about God or gods, but in reality so few have any clue what they're talking about.  It's the same with politics.

Answer 12

well thats your problem

go to indian restaurants and date punjabi women

what else can i say?

Answer 13

Organized religions are certainly a barrier between people who don't believe in the "right" religion.  Religious belief is a common bond so it promotes relationships between like minded people.  That is why evangelical people love to go to their church and give a lot of money to their church (cause they think theirs is the ONE correct religion) and its the same reason why martyrs strap bombs to their bodies and blow up innocent civilians.  Each has a strong religious belief, each are motivated to action, each believes the other to be totally deluded and working in league with the devil.  I do not believe that, in and of itself, religous belief is the root of all evil but being convinced that one religious belief is right and all others are wrong has been the source of untold cruelty, insanity and evil.

Answer 14

It often is, though some people seem able to get over it, usually only for superficial relationships though. I know what you mean - it is difficult to be real friends if people have such crazy odd beliefs.

Harriet

Answer 15

I am good friends with atheists, Catholics, and Anglicans

So I’ve never found it to be a problem

[Added]

My catholic friend is my closest friend, and yes we have disagreed and mocked each other on many issues

So once again, I have never found it to be a problem

Yes I’m sure there are people who hate it when you disagree with them so much so you can not be truly good friends, however I have never met one of these………… maybe you could be one of them and that’s why? (I said maybe)

Answer 16

I think it certainly can be, unless both parties are willing to either work around their differences, agree to disagree, or avoid the subject altogether.

My dearest friend is a fundamentalist Christian, I am an atheist, and we get along beautifully. We even discuss religion on a regular basis. A long time ago we decided that we cared enough about each other to throw these differences aside and concentrate on the important things. Making our relationship stronger despite these differences was one of the things we agreed on.

EDIT: See what I mean? While Eds is not the person to whom I was referring, simply because we don't know each other out of this forum ( I was referring to someone I know personally) he is, without a doubt, the sweetest person here. A man of deep faith, he is always respectful, simply because he loves people.  It really is that simple.

((((((((((((Eds)))))))))))) I would give anything to have you for a neighbor. Every moment would be that much brighter just for having you around. I love you dearly.

Answer 17

Stranger,

Many who are very religious choose to stay away from those who may cause them to stray from their given beliefs.  I choose not to do so.  My wife and I are twenty year Fundamental Christians who have been married for over 33 years.  I had a near death experience while I was in high school and felt the need to find "GOD".  I also believe that each and every person has a right to their own beliefs and I would fight for that right for you or anyone else as well as for myself.  I do not feel it is a barrier between myself and anyone else for this reason.  Have a great week.

Thanks,

Eds

------

RED QUEEN,

You are a dear sweet friend who I greatly admire.

Your Friend,

Eds

------

.

Answer 18

Anyone that has decided to give up their thoughts to a sect that wants to steal them, has truly lost their minds. If you don't have enough balls to have your own opinions and give them up to a pastor who tells you what to think, you are an idiot.

Answer 19

With religious folk?  Oh yeah, very difficult to get along with and be anything more than casually friendly ... I have the same problem and I'm a Christian lol.

But don't lump everyone who goes to church and claims themselves to be Christian in one lump sum.  There's lots of folk out there who do both and are full of love.  They're great people to know, just hard to find sometimes :)

Answer 20

I agree.

When I became a 'born again Christian' I found it difficult to relate to my family because the way they lived was not according to God's way etc...

My attitude certainly put a wedge between me and my family and some of my Friends. I didn't talk to my g*y friends anymore because I didn't want to try to show them the 'evil of their ways'  which was what I felt was required of me as a Christian.

I am no longer a Christian and since moving away from it I feel have been set  free.  I still believe in spirituality and enjoy studying all sorts of different religions and spiritual thought. It's great because I can talk to anyone about anything;  religion, relationships whatever,  and not feel that I should be trying to convert them or make them see things my way. I feel that moving away from my affiliation with Christianity has really broken down all the barriers I created when I was 'saved'.

Just an added thought... believing that your 'unsaved' friends and family are going to h**l most certainly has a negative  affect on your relationship with them.

Answer 21

Yes.  They usally want to kill me when they find out I think the so-called apostle paul is a twisted sick liar and false prophet.  Such an uproar over a little thing as that :).  Then they want to send me to eternal h**l torture, which I tell them is not real.  Hard people to get along with.

Answer 22

unfortunately the sides of believing and not believing has a negative perception when our eternity is waged on faith that all do not have the same experiences of God to let them know that He does exist and He loves you and wants very much for you to know Him. Satan plays a hand in messing up the message of God through unbelievers and immature christians.  Christians are to show the Love of the Lord by our actions and when all else fails to use words.

Answer 23

It could just be the fact that people who have very deep beliefs have a lot in common with others who share those beliefs.  It makes sense that people who are similar in the parts they consider most vital to their identity would be closer to one another than to others who don't share it.  

In addition, I wouldn't be so quick to lump all religions together.  In my own experience, some religions tend to make communities that are really "clique-y" and enclosed to outsiders... but others make wonderful communities that accept outsiders and nonmembers.  Religious individuals are just as diverse.  Some of the worst individuals I've ever met are religious.  But so are some of the most amazing and loving people I know.  

Answer 24

a very effective tool of the devil.  anything that keeps us apart is a tool of the devil........such a lie.  I hope this idea changes for you someday soon.  You will reap many benefits when it does, my friend.

rain man--lover of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Answer 25

"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything"