religious friends

[Edwardo Piet]

Are you using a different definition of the word respect than me then? Or using it in a different way? Or not?

I think so ... I think people's definition of respect varies (I mean I respect everyone's right to hold whatever belief they wish but nothing about that implies I respect the belief itself) and I think people's definition of friendship varies.

I mean I've had people come to me on forums and tell me they're my friend and I couldn't disagree more; I cannot see how someone can be a real friend when you haven't even met them ... I certainly have internet friends but they didn't become real friends until I met them. Likewise just knowing someone and being friendly is not what I'd call friendship ... I would do anything within reason for my friends and they would for me, indeed I had reason recently to find out just how much my friendship meant to one of my closest friends.

Anyway, to me, friendship is important and it is inherently based on respect ... I am genuinely proud to be the friend of those who I have chosen to associate with and who likewise choose to associate with me. In order to really be someone's friend (and I don't mean just an acquaintance) I would I would have to respect everything about them ... if they were racist I couldn't be their friend, likewise if they were not (broadly speaking) a socialist liberal, if they were misogynistic or a paedophile I couldn't be their friend ...these things matter to me and these things tend to dictate whether I can identify with someone and whether I can realistically care about them. If they had overt religious views it would sour my view of them ... I could be "friendly" but I could not truly be their friend.

Kyu

Ok. I thought you were using a different definition. Was just checking to make sure I didn't misunderstand you.
I wouldn't think I would necessarily have to meet someone in 'real life' to consider them a 'friend'. If only because at times I can get on really well and get to know someone a lot more online than offline. Because being online tends to break boundaries.
Once again though, perhaps we are using a different definition. Since you have already explained that it takes a lot for you to consider someone a friend.
Its perhaps different with personal relationships though I think.
Evf