As a Christian, how do you handle it when you're in difficult social situations?

First of all, you already said, "I am not afraid of losing their friendship - I fear their distance from god". Which pretty much sounds like you're only around to try to keep them closer to your god through your presence. Also, I've already said that I am aware that you love the bible and all. Great for you. I simply said that not knowing, caring, or believing in it doesn't necissarily make a person ignorant. I don't know anything about brain surgery either, but I really don't care. Most people only study things they want to know about, religion is included in that. As a debate hobbyist, I have looked up various religious and biblical things, but I don't care nor believe them. I simply use them in my debates. If their conversations bother you so much, then stop spending time with them. Or tell them not to talk about certain things around you. There are as many different kinds of Christians as there are Christians in the worl. Some are more tolerant than you. If you don't tell them you are uncomfortable, then they assume you are tolerant. And as for the last part, quite honestly I don't care. As I already said, I am anti-Christian. I completely disagree with just about everything about an average Christian and I think the religion itself is a total crock. As that is, why would I care about some kind of "my god will beat you up if you talk bad to me". Sounds a bit like the playground taunt, "My dad can beat up your dad" and it's just as pointless. If you want to believe that your god will smite me for swearing at you, then great for you. I, on the other hand, do not. And I do not appreciate being preached to, witnessed to, or any other such nonesense. If they were only around to spew this at me, then they were not really my friend in the first place.

Wow - you are a very angry person. Don't get me wrong - I appreciate your point of view because it helps me to understand how my friends might feel, etc. I didn't mean to call them "ignorant" - I mean they are ignorant about the faith of Christianity since they have never looked into it. I'll be the first to admit that I'm ignorant about brain surgery, but I wouldn't ever try to tell a brain surgeon that his or her occupation is pointless or stupid or dumb. For some it works, for others it doesn't - much like Christianity. I wasn't trying to start a playground fight with you. Perhaps my comment about God being bigger than His enemy was a little harsh, but you opened yourself up to that type of response when you stated that you would curse a friend for doing what they believe is the right thing to do. I'm not going to apoligise for it - all I can say is I sure hope I'm wrong and you're right, for your own sake. I love my friends and I'm going to continue to be a good Christain example to them. I'm glad they aren't as angry as you...

I'm not their friends just because I want to "save" them and I never said that I wouldn't care about losing them. I would care, but that's not my main concern. My main concern is their hearts and where they will spend eternity. I am their friend obviously because we typically have a nice time together and our friendship is based on a lot of things we have been through together and experiences we have shared together as well as lots of common interests. However if I believe that eternal life is through Christ - wouldn't I want my friends to recieve that gift? If you thought your friends would benefit greatly from something - wouldn't you want them to have it? The Bible is the be-all and end-all in my life. Obviously I respect that it isn't in theirs. I don't preach to them, I don't force my faith or beliefs on them, I simply find it to be difficult when subjects come up that I find offensive because of my faith. Like I said before - I don't even bring it up because I think the controversey would hurt them. If you ever find out that a friend is trying to "save" you - I wouldn't curse them if I were you. 1. God is more powerful than His enemy and 2. Your friend would be trying to "save" you in good faith, not to hurt you but to share a glorious free gift with you

Thanks for the advice! Absolutely - the Holy Spirit changes the heart, but God also commands us to go and tell others. I'm just going to have to ask God for the words to say, or not to say in these situations. I do get opportunities to clearly state where I stand with them - so they know. I also show them through my actions that I am not the same as them which is also another thing God expects from us when he warns us about being "in fellowship" with non-believers. I excited to see what the Lord has in store for my friends. I just pray that I don't fail Him because I think he intends to use me in their lives...

I think you're just trying to make money. If you aren't able to reply, then why did you?

Thank you for the thoughtful response. My friends definitely know what I believe, but they don't understand why because of their lack of knowledge of scripture. I'm going to commit to learning some scripture that will back up my beliefs and rebut some of the common issues that come up when we are together (abortion, marriage, lust, etc.). If I simply quote the scripture and don't ask for a response I wonder what the reaction would be. For instance - whenever someone says something to my husband at work, such as "you can't just do that" or "that won't work" he says "I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me". It isn't always relevant, but it gets the guys at work to ask questions. Thanks for your input. Now the wheels are turning.