Can we be friends with Latter Day Saints or Jehovah's Witnesses?

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icequeen

icequeen

Active member
#1
Nov 8, 2019
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#1
Earlier I had a friend that was a Mormon. We had things in common, and a friendship was natural, but it came to a point when it seemed to be a spiritual battle and we drifted apart. She initiated to do Bible studies together, but I felt that to be an attempt to recruit me more than an honest seeking of common ground. I also went to her church for a Christmas concert, and it just felt empty and wrong.
Now I have got to know a colleague, that is a really good match when we are working together. It is so much fun! I kind of thought she was a leftish socialist (judging from her clothing and as most of the female teachers have a tendency to fall into that group), but to my surprise she was a JW. We have since discussed scripture and faith, and we will continue to have some academic projects together, perhaps even a podcast. I know we have a different stand on the Trinity and the gifts of the Spirit, but I don't feel the same discernment as I did with the previously mentioned Mormon. I told her I don't want to be a "convertion project", but that I would like to keep in touch both privately and professionally.

But is it wrong for me to entertain this friendship? What are your thoughts?
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#2
Aug 13, 2014
27,183
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#2
I've met some nice, friendly atheists before, people who didn't want to argue all the time. It's a nice change.

If there are friends who are content to be friends without debating what we disagree about all the time, I am happy to be friends with them.
 
Susanna

Susanna

Well-known member
#3
Apr 14, 2023
1,597
519
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48
Galveston and Houston
#3
Most of my friends are from different spiritual backgrounds in Christianity. I even spend time with people from other religions and atheists.
 
SonJudgment

SonJudgment

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#4
Jun 25, 2024
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#4
You can try but it will only ever go so far until one party has to compromise their religion, and just bluntly it is usually the Christian that compromises their religion away. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 comes to mind.
 
G

gb9

Senior Member
#5
Jan 18, 2011
12,284
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#5
SonJudgment said:
You can try but it will only ever go so far until one party has to compromise their religion, and just bluntly it is usually the Christian that compromises their religion away. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 comes to mind.
Click to expand...
yes, but a Christian does not HAVE to compromise anything away.

i have had friends who are non believers. when they have had problems, i told them i would pray for them. not one has ever said " no, don't do that".

remember, especially when it comes to non-believers, we represent Christ on earth. we need to act like Him as best we can in front of non-believers.
 
G

Gideon300

Well-known member
#6
Mar 18, 2021
5,296
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#6
icequeen said:
Earlier I had a friend that was a Mormon. We had things in common, and a friendship was natural, but it came to a point when it seemed to be a spiritual battle and we drifted apart. She initiated to do Bible studies together, but I felt that to be an attempt to recruit me more than an honest seeking of common ground. I also went to her church for a Christmas concert, and it just felt empty and wrong.
Now I have got to know a colleague, that is a really good match when we are working together. It is so much fun! I kind of thought she was a leftish socialist (judging from her clothing and as most of the female teachers have a tendency to fall into that group), but to my surprise she was a JW. We have since discussed scripture and faith, and we will continue to have some academic projects together, perhaps even a podcast. I know we have a different stand on the Trinity and the gifts of the Spirit, but I don't feel the same discernment as I did with the previously mentioned Mormon. I told her I don't want to be a "convertion project", but that I would like to keep in touch both privately and professionally.

But is it wrong for me to entertain this friendship? What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
I am the same way about Mormons and JW's Most of the JW's I've met are sincere but deceived. There is something about the Mormon religion that grates on me.

It pays to be careful. The worst heresy with JW is that Jesus is not God. About 3 years after I was saved, I heard an ex senior JW figure preach on the errors. I found myself doubting that Jesus is God myself. I had to refresh myself in God's word to defeat the spirit of doubt and unbelief.

Ask God to cut off contact if the JW is going to affect you negatively. He can do this in a way that does not reflect badly on you.
 
SonJudgment

SonJudgment

Well-known member
#7
Jun 25, 2024
641
331
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#7
gb9 said:
yes, but a Christian does not HAVE to compromise anything away.

i have had friends who are non believers. when they have had problems, i told them i would pray for them. not one has ever said " no, don't do that".

remember, especially when it comes to non-believers, we represent Christ on earth. we need to act like Him as best we can in front of non-believers.
Click to expand...
Of course they don't have to, but they will. It's a common trap anymore these days, we see this time and time again. The weaker Christians think that they are going to be some grand missionary and accomodate the children of darkness and think they can have fellowship with darkness but what ends up happening is they just get corrupted themselves and become darkness as well while the unbelievers they're not giving up their false religions and grievous sins at all. It's always going to be unequal when dealing with unbelievers. Do what you want, I can't really stop you, but I would suggest that Paul's writings in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 are stunning accurate and I think should be considered.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17


14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
 
HealthAndHappiness

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
#8
Jul 7, 2022
10,221
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113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
#8
icequeen said:
Earlier I had a friend that was a Mormon. We had things in common, and a friendship was natural, but it came to a point when it seemed to be a spiritual battle and we drifted apart. She initiated to do Bible studies together, but I felt that to be an attempt to recruit me more than an honest seeking of common ground. I also went to her church for a Christmas concert, and it just felt empty and wrong.
Now I have got to know a colleague, that is a really good match when we are working together. It is so much fun! I kind of thought she was a leftish socialist (judging from her clothing and as most of the female teachers have a tendency to fall into that group), but to my surprise she was a JW. We have since discussed scripture and faith, and we will continue to have some academic projects together, perhaps even a podcast. I know we have a different stand on the Trinity and the gifts of the Spirit, but I don't feel the same discernment as I did with the previously mentioned Mormon. I told her I don't want to be a "convertion project", but that I would like to keep in touch both privately and professionally.

But is it wrong for me to entertain this friendship? What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
As a teenager I had an older friend by about 10 years. He was raised Presbyterian and we had a lot in common. However, I got SAVED.
We grew apart due to the Holy Spirit and attending a good church. He eventually let me know that he identified as a Satanist, but wasn't practicing at the time. Regardless of common interests, we were no longer friends and no wonder.

2 Corinthians 6
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God."
PS: I Just saw that SOJ just shared this already.

I believe that we who trust Christ should lead others to do likewise. There will be plenty of acquaintances like coworkers.

We should influence them to trust Christ. Then true friendships have a basis to flourish. Lunch together with a coworker is different than the closeness of friendship. Sometimes that line gets blurred and boundaries move.
The following might be helpful in learning how to do that.

Jehovah's Witnesses
 
JaumeJ

JaumeJ

Senior Member
#9
Jul 2, 2011
21,412
6,698
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#9
Does anyone perceive the separation caused by denominational stances?

Were we not taught that at the time, even of Paul, the spirit of apostasy

was present?

And, are we not taught that apostasy shall abound when Jesus Yeshua returns?

Do the denominationals believe that apostasy shall just pop up before the days of great tribulation

Jesus, Yeshua, has called all to be of the faith of Abraham, which is simply believing our Maker. When we truly are led to believe His Word, we understand so much with ease. No, no man understands all but this understanding is from the teaching of the Great Teacher, Jesus Yeshua.
 
icequeen

icequeen

Active member
#10
Nov 8, 2019
211
134
43
#10
Lynx said:
I've met some nice, friendly atheists before, people who didn't want to argue all the time. It's a nice change.

If there are friends who are content to be friends without debating what we disagree about all the time, I am happy to be friends with them.
Click to expand...
I have no problems with atheists. Somehow that doesn't crash spiritually. You can handle that intellectually, and you can't force anyone to believe.
 
icequeen

icequeen

Active member
#11
Nov 8, 2019
211
134
43
#11
SonJudgment said:
You can try but it will only ever go so far until one party has to compromise their religion, and just bluntly it is usually the Christian that compromises their religion away. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 comes to mind.
Click to expand...
That is my experience so far as well. But let's see. I will continue to pray for her and also protect myself.
 
icequeen

icequeen

Active member
#12
Nov 8, 2019
211
134
43
#12
gb9 said:
yes, but a Christian does not HAVE to compromise anything away.

i have had friends who are non believers. when they have had problems, i told them i would pray for them. not one has ever said " no, don't do that".

remember, especially when it comes to non-believers, we represent Christ on earth. we need to act like Him as best we can in front of non-believers.
Click to expand...
Non-believers are easier than believers that have a doctrine that totally crashes in the view of salvation etc.
 
JaumeJ

JaumeJ

Senior Member
#13
Jul 2, 2011
21,412
6,698
113
#13
We are taught wiely to be all things to all lpeople. Along with this we are taught to pray for all people, but never for what they do in sinful manner, otherwise we are guilty of the same.

We may be available to all individuals in the most positive manner, God willing, right, it IS His will.
 
icequeen

icequeen

Active member
#14
Nov 8, 2019
211
134
43
#14
Thank you all for food for thought. I will continue to pray and be genuine but alert. I can work with her professionally regardless of our differences, but we have already bonded. Might be God has a plan for this, otherwise I will shake the dust off my sandals and walk on (or roll in ny case)
 
icequeen

icequeen

Active member
#15
Nov 8, 2019
211
134
43
#15
JaumeJ said:
We are taught wiely to be all things to all lpeople. Along with this we are taught to pray for all people, but never for what they do in sinful manner, otherwise we are guilty of the same.

We may be available to all individuals in the most positive manner, God willing, right, it IS His will.
Click to expand...
Love thy enemy comes to mind...
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#16
Aug 13, 2014
27,183
9,267
113
#16
Wait, are we talking about friendship or marriage here? I thought we were talking about being FRIENDS with people. Lots of people have started talking like we're getting married to unbelievers or something.

Being friends with people of different beliefs is simple.
- I know what I believe.
- I know WHY I believe it.
- I do not compromise what I believe just to keep a friend.
- I do not argue about what we disagree on.

If somebody with a different belief keeps the same rules, we can easily be friends.

If I have to change what I believe (or lie about it) to keep a friend, I politely cut the cable and let that former friend drift away. If the friend is content to remain a friend, knowing he will not change my mind about what I believe, then I am happy to be his friend.
 
Eli1

Eli1

Well-known member
#17
Apr 5, 2022
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#17
icequeen said:
Earlier I had a friend that was a Mormon. We had things in common, and a friendship was natural, but it came to a point when it seemed to be a spiritual battle and we drifted apart. She initiated to do Bible studies together, but I felt that to be an attempt to recruit me more than an honest seeking of common ground. I also went to her church for a Christmas concert, and it just felt empty and wrong.
Now I have got to know a colleague, that is a really good match when we are working together. It is so much fun! I kind of thought she was a leftish socialist (judging from her clothing and as most of the female teachers have a tendency to fall into that group), but to my surprise she was a JW. We have since discussed scripture and faith, and we will continue to have some academic projects together, perhaps even a podcast. I know we have a different stand on the Trinity and the gifts of the Spirit, but I don't feel the same discernment as I did with the previously mentioned Mormon. I told her I don't want to be a "convertion project", but that I would like to keep in touch both privately and professionally.

But is it wrong for me to entertain this friendship? What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
As a few other members have mentioned, there's nothing wrong with having friends who are atheists or from different religions, like Muslims or Hindus.
Most of the people are deal with at work, are atheists or agnostic.
 
SonJudgment

SonJudgment

Well-known member
#18
Jun 25, 2024
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#18
icequeen said:
That is my experience so far as well. But let's see. I will continue to pray for her and also protect myself.
Click to expand...
I understand the sentiment. In my experience the JW is trickier than the mormon. Not just directly because of the cult but it does something to their psychology where you will have essentially two sides to them. One side is the superficial bait where they will try to appeal to your commonality and they'll try to put on the mask that they are Christians too and have a conservative lifestyle and demeanor. The other side is the switch with their own internal struggle with the cult and their incredibly large amount of hatred of God where they try to cheat the system and commit some of the most outrageous sins and then try to excuse them to simultaneously keep their loyalty to the cult at the same time. You will always be dealing with two faces with a JW. James 4:4 also says that friendship with the world is enmity with God, and James emphasizes this by repeating that whoever wants to be friend of the world will be the enemy of God. James and Paul are right not just because they wrote parts of the Bible but because what they wrote bears out in real life as true.
 
icequeen

icequeen

Active member
#19
Nov 8, 2019
211
134
43
#19
Lynx said:
Wait, are we talking about friendship or marriage here? I thought we were talking about being FRIENDS with people. Lots of people have started talking like we're getting married to unbelievers or something.

Being friends with people of different beliefs is simple.
- I know what I believe.
- I know WHY I believe it.
- I do not compromise what I believe just to keep a friend.
- I do not argue about what we disagree on.

If somebody with a different belief keeps the same rules, we can easily be friends.

If I have to change what I believe (or lie about it) to keep a friend, I politely cut the cable and let that former friend drift away. If the friend is content to remain a friend, knowing he will not change my mind about what I believe, then I am happy to be his friend.
Click to expand...
No marriage in question on my behalf...
 
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