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SomeCatholicGuy
Guest
Are most of your friends Catholic or non-Catholic? If they’re not Catholic, how do you deal with it? Do you avoid talking about religion with them altogether? Thanks in advance!
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barryschoedel
Guest
I just became Catholic two years ago. Most of my new relationships and friendships are with Catholics. I am happy to minister to and love people who are not Catholic but at the very least for friendship I would choose people with similar values. I find that it is not conducive for me to grow in my faith to spend too much time with ‘friends’ that do not have traditional Christian values. Catholic friends are a particular gift because I can share in the fullness of our faith. Catholics friends who truly practice the faith support me by their witness. Non-believer friends try to undermine my faith and morals in one way or another (even if they are doing this somewhat unconsciously).
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Nickkname
Guest
My friends are the saints, so all my friends are Catholics. My best friend is Jesus.
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aggiecatholic05
Guest
growing up most of my friends were catholic, until i started school i thought everyone was. in undergrad and now most are catholic. i discuss religion or politics with anyone that wants, its really not an issue if the conversation goes there so be it if not ok. the only time i try to steer it that way is with an agnostic married to a catholic who is somewhat curious.
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KCtheMommy
Guest
Majority Catholic. I also have close friends who are atheist (not the new breed who are actually anti-religion, but respectful of mine–and anyones-- faith), Evangelical, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, Taoist, and one who’s in the Golden Dawn (which I am glad for – because he is my oldest friend and he has finally accepted mono-theistic belief in God).
How do I deal with it?
Well to put it bluntly: I am not friends with anyone who attacks my faith. I also don’t attack theirs. I have a lot of good friends who respect my beliefs, and I return the favor in kind.
I also don’t hang out with purposely ignorant people. If I have friends out-side of my faith – they at least know WHY they believe in the things that they do. I answer any questions they have about our faith that I CAN answer, and look up everything else.
I think the end result being I count among my friends people who are confidant. Not only in life – but in faith.
How do I deal with it?
Well to put it bluntly: I am not friends with anyone who attacks my faith. I also don’t attack theirs. I have a lot of good friends who respect my beliefs, and I return the favor in kind.
I also don’t hang out with purposely ignorant people. If I have friends out-side of my faith – they at least know WHY they believe in the things that they do. I answer any questions they have about our faith that I CAN answer, and look up everything else.
I think the end result being I count among my friends people who are confidant. Not only in life – but in faith.
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johnnydigit
Guest
most of my friends are strong Catholics. i still hang out with some of my old friends, the ones who i think are genuinely good people. they know the devotion to my faith, and respect it.
you will know someone by the company they keep. Scripture mentions often how you should carefully choose your friends. if you want to become a good football player, hang around with football players. if you want to become a good student, hang around with good students. rich, rich. etc. if you want to be a good Catholic, hang around with good Catholics. holy, holy. wise, wise. etc.
on the flip side, hang out with thieves, and you might pick it up. hang out with those who use profanity a lot, and you may find yourself starting to slip.
i wasn’t really conscious of what i was doing, i just gravitated toward them. it wasn’t until later that i read Scripture and heard talks, and i thought, “oh my gosh, they’re right! God is right!”
you will know someone by the company they keep. Scripture mentions often how you should carefully choose your friends. if you want to become a good football player, hang around with football players. if you want to become a good student, hang around with good students. rich, rich. etc. if you want to be a good Catholic, hang around with good Catholics. holy, holy. wise, wise. etc.
on the flip side, hang out with thieves, and you might pick it up. hang out with those who use profanity a lot, and you may find yourself starting to slip.
i wasn’t really conscious of what i was doing, i just gravitated toward them. it wasn’t until later that i read Scripture and heard talks, and i thought, “oh my gosh, they’re right! God is right!”
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Phemie
Guest
No, I
The Catholics I do deal with have a problem with me being
d say that most of my friends arent Catholic. They range from United Church of Canada to Ba`hai to agnostic if not downright atheists. All accept me for what I am and have never attacked my religion. Some I will discuss my faith with but most have no interest in that kind of discussion.The Catholics I do deal with have a problem with me being
by the book where Liturgy is concerned. Even my pastor has a problem with that.
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BamaRider
Guest
Mine/our closest inner circle of friends are not Catholic. Debbie was Baptist to just before we married, and because we have lived in the same town for all our lives, we have friends that predate our relationship.
I live in the deep south, and once you leave the coastlines, hard to find Catholics. Been a member of the same parish for 40+years, but never cultivated and friendships. When we married we were the only 20 something couple in the church.
Our parish roster is mostly military folks that come and go, so hard to develop relationships.
The topic of religion seldom comes up with our friends.
I live in the deep south, and once you leave the coastlines, hard to find Catholics. Been a member of the same parish for 40+years, but never cultivated and friendships. When we married we were the only 20 something couple in the church.
Our parish roster is mostly military folks that come and go, so hard to develop relationships.
The topic of religion seldom comes up with our friends.
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_Jenn
Guest
Some are, some aren’t. And some of my friends - I do not know what denomination they are. But I know they are Christians.
At any rate, it doesn’t matter to me. Jesus befriended everyone; so I certainly don’t let something like faith get in the way of who I befriend.
At any rate, it doesn’t matter to me. Jesus befriended everyone; so I certainly don’t let something like faith get in the way of who I befriend.
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1ke
Guest
I have few non-Catholic friends. Those that are are mostly old friends from childhood/high school/college. Most of my friends are Catholic.
Even among my non-Catholic friends almost all are committed Christians. I have no problem talking with them about God b/c they are active Christians who love the Lord.
The very few who are “nothing” or sort of nominally Christian are not “good” friends-- people from work, a few old friends, etc. They are the Christmas card and occasional email crowd or in the work-friend category where we go to lunch sometimes or whatever.
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yellowbicycle
Guest
majority non-catholic. Some are other christian denominations, some are other faiths, and some are agnostic or atheist.
Some are downright hostile to catholicism (I used to be too, so I can’t be too harsh).
I just hope that my life and friendship can be a strong witness to them.
(But I’m not a terribly good catholic, so we’ll just see about that!)
Some are downright hostile to catholicism (I used to be too, so I can’t be too harsh).
I just hope that my life and friendship can be a strong witness to them.
(But I’m not a terribly good catholic, so we’ll just see about that!)
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lenni
Guest
yeeah, i do have alot of friends who are not catholic. One of my closest guy friends is atheist. ummm…actually i cant avoid the religion topic with him. Sometimes he tries to attack me about it (i.e. premarital sex and catholics guys apparently appear the most obsessed about it because most haven’t had experience but are restricted to follow rules). It does get frustrating…but you gotta avoid those topics…or often i just say, you know my views and i dont want to elaborate and then change the topic! but yeah, sometimes he can make subtle attacks when i say something about another person. I think he does this to spite me sometimes…coz he likes to debate about it!!..but other than that, i try to avoid it.
but most of my other friends of other religions just dont really ever bring up the topic. The only other time i ever get on the topic is when they decide to drink but then it becomes more about morals.
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Em_in_FL
Guest
It’s a big mix… especially at work.
Every one KNOWS I’m Catholic… but we don’t get into deep religious conversations very often (it’s been a few years since we’ve had a good discussion at work).
But the best way to “deal” with it is just to LIVE your faith… no compromises. A faithful Catholic is the best “advertising” for the faith.
If discussions come up and you don’t have answers off the top of your head… pull out your handy-dandy Catechism!… and use those footnotes and google for any deeper research… it’s easy to defend the faith in a peaceful, logical manner when you know where to search for the details! 
Every one KNOWS I’m Catholic… but we don’t get into deep religious conversations very often (it’s been a few years since we’ve had a good discussion at work).
But the best way to “deal” with it is just to LIVE your faith… no compromises. A faithful Catholic is the best “advertising” for the faith.
If discussions come up and you don’t have answers off the top of your head… pull out your handy-dandy Catechism!
… and use those footnotes and google for any deeper research… it’s easy to defend the faith in a peaceful, logical manner when you know where to search for the details!
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Nanny_PK
Guest
I’m a revert and had been attending the Methodist church for years before returning (I actually still attend Sunday school there and sing in the choir – Sunday mornings are crazy busy
) My friends have been very supportive. In our Sunday school class we did a study on world religions and I was able to present “Catholicism 101.” They were very respectful of my views. I gave some of the traditions such as praying the Rosary, et cetera. I got some interesting but respectful questions about our traditions.
) My friends have been very supportive. In our Sunday school class we did a study on world religions and I was able to present “Catholicism 101.” They were very respectful of my views. I gave some of the traditions such as praying the Rosary, et cetera. I got some interesting but respectful questions about our traditions.
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Laurie_86
Guest
As I am not Catholic yet vast majority of my friends are from a variety of Protestant denominations. I have two friends who believe there is a God but don’t believe in any particular religion I keep trying to reach out to. The only people I know who are Catholic is my fiance, his family, and people at RCIA.
I don’t think it’s bad to have friends who are Protestant, from other religions, or don’t believe in God at all as long as they do not cause you to stumble. Non-believers challenge us to be a light to the world for Christ by living our faith. I talk about my faith all the time with my two friends who are deists. Who knows maybe some day my Protestant family and friends will convert! After all if I had never met my fiance I would never be in RCIA as a candidate! God is good!
I don’t think it’s bad to have friends who are Protestant, from other religions, or don’t believe in God at all as long as they do not cause you to stumble. Non-believers challenge us to be a light to the world for Christ by living our faith. I talk about my faith all the time with my two friends who are deists. Who knows maybe some day my Protestant family and friends will convert! After all if I had never met my fiance I would never be in RCIA as a candidate! God is good!
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M0nkey
Guest
Unfortunately most of my friends aren’t or they don’t really practice their faith. I’m currently reaching out and making more friends that are faithful to the Catholic faith.
There is something to be said about the old proverb: show me your friends and I’ll show you who you are.
There is something to be said about the old proverb: show me your friends and I’ll show you who you are.
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Em_in_FL
Guest
True… but don’t forget Christ spent most of his time with sinners…
There’s also something to be said about evangelization…
It can’t be done if we’re isolated only with other faithful Catholics!
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iluvmybabies
Guest
Most of my friends are Catholic, but very modern Catholics!! LOL…
And the ones that are not Catholic are just as wonderful and sweet! I have several non Catholic friends whose religions allow for contraceptives, so yes it’s a bit of a conflict for us but what can we do you know? We listen to each other and respect each other’s religions and ways of lives…No biggie…Doesn’t interfere with the love and care we have for each other…
Sometimes there is no need to go into religious chats other times it is, but the most important thing is that we praise and love GOD even if it’s in different ways…
Our friendship means more than disputes and arguments over which religion is right…it’s for a reason that we are still bff or friendds, and it isn’t to fight or argue beause we all have different religious views…I am even friends with an Athiest who’s married to a Baptist, and he will attend her church hours etc without any problems, he will not pray nor pretend he believes he sits there in support of his wife etc…they have 2 children raised in her religion and he doesn’t have a problem with it…
So if they are able to make it work, going on 5+ years of marriage and 2 beautiful children why can’t we all get along???!
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Island_Oak
Guest
…not since moving to the left coast
Actually most of my closest friends from (Jesuit) college and early adulthood happen to be Catholic…but now we have quite a mix! Not sure that gives me anything to “deal with,” in general I befriend people I enjoy, admire and respect, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Actually most of my closest friends from (Jesuit) college and early adulthood happen to be Catholic…but now we have quite a mix! Not sure that gives me anything to “deal with,” in general I befriend people I enjoy, admire and respect, regardless of their religious affiliation.
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SomeCatholicGuy
Guest
Thank you all for your responses so far!
Hi Laurie_86. Sorry I didn’t mean to imply that it’s bad to have friends who subscribe to other religions (or lack thereof). Most of my friends are atheist. Anyway, congrats on your engagement and welcome home!I don’t think it’s bad to have friends who are Protestant, from other religions, or don’t believe in God at all as long as they do not cause you to stumble. Non-believers challenge us to be a light to the world for Christ by living our faith. I talk about my faith all the time with my two friends who are deists. Who knows maybe some day my Protestant family and friends will convert! After all if I had never met my fiance I would never be in RCIA as a candidate! God is good!
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