A Protestant friend who's growing more distant by the day.What do I do?

[sorrowful1]

She used to be a very “caring” friend, and has helped me a few times when I was in need. For that, I remain indebted to her, and want to remain in good terms (besides, we know each other since childhood), and if I can, I definitely want to give her a hand, should she ever need one.

Our friendship was sailing smoothly, until it took a detour when I decided to lean towards Catholicism more than Protestantism. I’m saying “more than” because at that time I was kind of observing both (of) the denominations closely and comparatively ( I wasn’t sure, then, which one to embrace). She’s been a devout Protestant since many years, and had been inviting me to her Church.

And so, she seemed a little bit sceptical about my decision to finally pursue Catholicism to which I responded by assuring her that only after my thorough understanding had I decided it – yes, it took me years to change my view towards Christianity and then, to actually embrace it was a big challenge. And, in those years of my doubt over the path walked by Christ, she was one of the few who had constantly tried to change my misconception. While I partially credit her efforts on me, I must say, it was my own diligent studies, observation and patience that I was able to submit myself without a hint of doubt to the Lord.

Okay, rant enough. So, after that, she’s been showing little interest in catching up with me and her replies are monosyllabic. I know she’s not a bad person, but I’m quite at a loss to see a friend I’m losing because of my different preference. Can’t we be friends?? I mean is it impossible for people of two different faith to be very good friends? Should I have just chosen Protestantism for the sake of our good friendship?

 

[TheLittleLady]

Friends do grow apart, right now many people are feeling “off”.

If I were you, I would thank your friend for introducing you to a real relationship with Christ. Tell her that foundation is what changed your life. That now the Holy Spirit is calling you to the Catholic Church. Assure her that you do not think she is bad, that God is calling you down this path.

 

[Dan_Defender]

Having relatives who fell away and became Protestants, I can tell you the relationship changes and there can be a lot of friction in the beginning. Now we have reached the point that we are civil and cordial, but we just do not discuss religion. The topic is verboten, period.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

So, after that, she’s been showing little interest in catching up with me and her replies are monosyllabic. I know she’s not a bad person, but I’m quite at a loss to see a friend I’m losing because of my different preference. Can’t we be friends??

It sounds like she doesn’t want to “be friends” right now. Let her go. Sometimes people simply go in different directions.

As for choosing Protestantism for the sake of a friendship, we don’t choose to do things we don’t believe in for the sake of keeping a friend, and a true friend doesn’t expect that of us. If I have a friend who’s an atheist then I don’t expect him to become Catholic to stay friends with me and he doesn’t expect me to become an atheist. Mature people are able to handle differences in belief systems.

Of course, in the case where one of my friends became a yoga devotee and was constantly going to ashrams all over the place while I was going to Mass, the friendship just petered out because we had nothing in common any more. I still think she’s a good person but I don’t want to join her on her ashram visits.

 

[sorrowful1]

@Tis_Bearself I think a part of reason I couldn’t bring myself to embracing Protestantism was that the very friend I’m talking about, failed to convince me many of my doubts/questions. The typical answer would always end up " Focus on Jesus only " – but my question was " I do, but doesn’t Mother Mary deserve an equal reverence?? Blah blah" I put forth my opinion and her answer was " She was just a human, while Jesus was Son of God Himself. So, just pray to Jesus".

I wanted to scream " Christ!! I know she was just a human. Evryone knows!! It’s the most basic knowledge!! …". Well, this could go on and on but that’s it. She failed to give her conviction.

I’ve remained silent for now and as you say perhaps, I should let her go (she’s always in my prayers though). I didn’t want to let a certain faith separate us but oh well…

 

[sorrowful1]

Well, in our family, there’s me who became a Christian after many years of atheism, my brother who remains “isolated " and untouched by any of the religious beliefs, my Dad who seems muddled up in different kinds of faith, and my Mom who embraces all religions. But none of us has imposed one’s belief on the other. We walk our own path (but I should admit, recently, I’ve started 'preaching” more about our Heavenly Father and Jesus to Dad who suffers from insomnia. I’m not forcing him but I’ve been trying to convince him that he may have to turn to the Divine Beings as my own sleeplessnes has been miraculously brought to an end ever since I started the Rosary prayers. I want to introduce him to many other subjects but not right away).

Then, there’s our relatives, scattered in all kinds of religions – some belonging to different denominations of Christianity, while others are Buddhists and a few Hindus , but we remain close. So, I was hoping I could dp good with my particular friend as well.

 

[annad347]

1} Can’t we be friends?? 2} I mean is it impossible for people of two different faith to be very good friends? 3} Should I have just chosen Protestantism for the sake of our good friendship?

1} Yes, but it might take time.

2} Yes, I’m friends and pray with people of different churches. Catholic, Lutherans, Pentecostal, and Jewish. I’m sure in time, depending on how true your friendship is, will one day be friends again.

3} Never, the Holy Spirit is leading you to being Catholic… follow where God leads you.

 

[TheLittleLady]

. I’m not forcing him but I’ve been trying to convince him that he may have to turn to the Divine Beings as my own sleeplessnes has been miraculously brought to an end ever since I started the Rosary prayers.

Just be cautious about this. The Rosary has helped you sleep. That does not mean the Rosary will help everyone sleep, and we need care not to set someone up for spiritual disappointment.

Signed, a lifelong insomniac who has prayed hundreds of Rosaries through long, sleepless nights.

 

[sorrowful1]

@TheLittleLady Thank you for the reminder, I’d almost forgotten that. For now, though, I’m just trying to get him into doing the Lord’s prayer ( at night before going to bed and while lying down on the bed. until he falls asleep). So far, he’s not really shown that eagerness; so, I’m just waiting.