how do I repair a freindship?

[curtins]

im sure many of you have heard this before- my good freind fell away from the faith and we've had plenty of arguements and just had another one and she said she doesnt want to be catholic anymore because it is Catholic teaching to agknowlege that other faiths are false and Catholocism is the one true faith. I just stuck to orthodox Catholocism and she continued to get madder and madder. Now how do I repair a freindship?

[JP2Iloveyou]

The first thing is that you can't bring up the faith with her right now. Sometimes our zeal to proclaim the Gospel must be checked by prudence. I had to learn that when I first got fired up with the faith. The example Jesus gave is meeting people where they are at. If she is not ready to hear the Gospel, then she is not ready. All you can do right now is pray for her and ask the Lord to open her heart. A drop of honey will attract more bees than a gallon of vinegar.

[Sinner]

agree...... just be her friend. Time and Our Lord will probably do the rest.

[musturde]

[quote name='curtins' date='Mar 5 2005, 11:26 PM'] im sure many of you have heard this before- my good freind fell away from the faith and we've had plenty of arguements and just had another one and she said she doesnt want to be catholic anymore because it is Catholic teaching to agknowlege that other faiths are false and Catholocism is the one true faith. I just stuck to orthodox Catholocism and she continued to get madder and madder. Now how do I repair a freindship? [/quote]
Your friend holds a belief that doesn't really make sense to me. TRUE Catholics are openminded about other religions and just because they believe they are correct, doesn't mean anything. Everyone says they're right. We believe they can get to heaven by following their conscience. Protestants and even people outside of Christianity have a harsher way to look at salvation. There is no religion or belief that says that every belief is correct.



But to actually help you, just stay away from talking religion. Especially stay away from her relationship with God or any debates. Just pray for her and be her friend for now. Things will go on from there.

[Cam42]

Time, prayer and understanding......

One has free will anc can choose to leave the light of God's grace. We must pray that instances in one's life will lead them back.

Prayer will help do that. Time will heal. And understanding the philosophical idea of free will will help you to cope with the loss.

On the other hand, you need to be understanding, yet firm with her....

Cam

[argent_paladin]

So, she is right, Catholicism is wrong and she won't be your friend unless you agree with her. She thinks that hers is the only right way to think and that if you disagree you are not worthy to be a friend. Sounds like she should have a problem with herself if she has a problem with the Church being exclusive.
Obviously you cannot give up your faith. But you can point out that you are willing to be inclusive and tolerant and be her friend even though you don't agree with her, and that if she truly is tolerant and inclusive, she should value your friendship and remain friends.
But above all, pray for her every day.

[ForHimAlone]

I'm having the same problem. My friend fell away from the faith a couple months ago. She's been on a downward cycle for awhile- drinking, infatuation, and such. It's really been hard. Just show her how much you care for her. She's going to have some confusion in her life, and it's very important that you just stand by her. Preach the Gospel through your actions. Show her how your faith affects your everyday life by what you DO, not what you SAY. It's going to be difficult, but it will be even harder if she feels threatened by an "overzealous" believer. Just take it to prayer.

[cmotherofpirl]

Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words.
Ask the Holy Spirit to move her heart back to God.
Love her.

[curtins]

thank you all

also-

I think you misunderstood me- she didnt say she would stop being my freind cause im Catholic

thank you

[curtins]

should i appologize to her?

[God Conquers]

For being Catholic? I don't think so....

If it was a guy I'd tell you to fight him... that always seems to make things better.. ease the tensions... but I don't condone hitting girls.

[curtins]

what?? hitting girls is good???

[God Conquers]

NOT good. DO NOT CONDONE.

Condone = support/encourage

[curtins]

oh see im dumb I thought it was like condem

so what do I do now?

act like nothing happened?

[God Conquers]

I'd say so.... love even more...

[curtins]

but shes like mad at me

[curtins]

bump

[curtins]

bump

[Nicole8223]

I would suggest telling her that arguing and being angry is defeating the purpose of the points you are both trying to make. She can't be closed minded towards you because you are an orthodox catholic, just like she is saying you can't be biased towards other faiths (which you're not...but you get it.)

Tell her you want to just put this behind you. The focus of Catholicism is love of God and neighbor, so tell her that's where you want to keep things. Hope it helps!

[curtins]

ughhh I just talked to her- I swear I said

"you know that whole argument we had- I think we should put it behind us"
and she said

"you are narrow minded. And I dont like it one bit."

I said "most orthodox catholics are"
she said its not good and we went into basically a shortened version of our previous argument.

On my profile it says "Solider of Christ"
now that meant like to fight against sin.

She thinks its to fight against other religions cause I said other religions contained falacies and Catholocism is the true faith. She said that me saying that means Im saying other religions are bull mushy mud pie.

Im just gonna give her time to chilll and not talk to her for a while

in the mean time can someone give me official Catholic teaching on other faiths and how it would apply to my situation and advice on rebuilding this freindship that i hold so dear to me

thanks and God bless