Defending Jesus

[HAP0623]

Hey everyone! I was hoping for some advice. My best friend and I have been friends for over 18 years, however things have been strained this past year when I became closer to the Church and she has distanced herself from it. For about a year now shes been dating a guy who has turned her into a Jesus-bashing atheist, and I don’t know what to do about it. When we hang out, we dont talk about religion at all, but the past few times she has mentioned some really offensive things, and I feel extremely guilty because I dont say anything. I told her that its offensive and I even didnt talk to her for a few months so she could hopefully get the hint, but it hasnt helped. I’d hate to dump this long-term friendship, because we do have good memories and fun times, but I feel like Im betraying my religion by listening to her comments and especially by saying nothing. I just hate how she changed only because of her boyfriend.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Have a mass said for her and ask her to join you for it?

 

[chrisuncle]

it seems like a reality shoch self defence mode mabby due to depression mabby she doesnt know who to trust. its a lonesome world being isolated with denial of the truth in jesus. fearful i realize but she is showting IM IMPORTANT. its a faze she is in. perhaps their was guilt or depression when she visited last. no where to run no where to hide so she seeks athiest proof. all the question around her crowd her. her trust in people has been crushed she sees evil and sin everywhere, she is alone and afraid. the world is riding on her shoulders piggy back. planning the future should be in gods hands not a persons

 

[kristanl]

She will always have you as a freind, she will probably not be with her boyfriend forever (depending on your age)…
I would say as hard and as bad as this is… dont talk to her until her and her boyfriend break up. It is not a good friendship for you to be in right now.
Beleive me, she will call you when they break up, and maybe you can bring her back to God

 

[StrawberryJam]

I disagree. You could die tomorrow, she could die tomorrow.

If you cut her out now, you will be yet another thing for her to rant about. “My christian friends dropped me like a cold potato” Love thy enemies? HUH!

KWIM? You could bolster her reasons for whatever rejections she is making.

She may even toss in there, how many times are we to forgive? 70 x 7. How many did he for me??

I don’t know. But I do know you have the RIGHT to ask her not to say anything that is truly offensive and tell her out loud it is offensive to you. You can simply say this:

I know you have taken another path, but you know mine now. I just ask that you think about how I feel when you talk the way you do. Can’t you express yourself without being offensive? These are deeply held beliefs of mine you are going on about in a very crude way. Please stop.

 

[kristanl]

I dont know if I agree with you… Shes going to chose her boyfriend over her friend (which she is already doing), so why should this sweet girl have to get mixed up in the cruelties of this friend because of what the boyfriend is getting in her head… i dont know…
Well if you want to talk to her… I think you need to let her be an acquitance, dont expect it to be like its always been now that shes with this guy…
Meet new friends that will bring you closer to God.

 

[HAP0623]

Thank you so much for the advice. I hate seeing the path shes taking, its horrible because we used to go to Sunday school and church together. I even had her help out with the Christmas fair we had last year at the church. I’ve been keeping her in my prayers though and I’m hoping she learns to have a mind of her own instead of listening to what her boyfriend says. Thank you for the advice, it really does help a lot.