My Best Friend is an Atheist

I recently discovered that my best friend is an atheist. 

The sad thing is, he was afraid to tell me- in fact, he believed I would hate him (as the picture below shows). He was convinced that telling me would make me push him away, and end our friendship.

How sad is it that we live in a society where to disagree with someone is to hate them, or where life choices can alienate those dearest to you? This is mostly seen with people who are homosexual, at least in our world today- the fear of "coming out" has terrified at least one of my dearest friends, who finally told his parents this past summer. (a different friend than the atheist).

Society sees much of two ideas: first, that to follow anything that your parents taught you is wrong and rebelling is a way of finding your identity, and second, that being different means being disliked.

First of all, this idea that rebellion is the source of finding an identity is just flat out crap. Sure, some people take different paths than their parents (case in point: my friend the atheist.) But since when did it become shameful to believe what your parents taught? I myself firmly believe in the faith of my parents, and not just because they taught me but because I found out on my own. I do try and live how I was taught, because experience has shown me that this is the best way. We don't need to rebel like Miley Cyrus (and in my belief, her behavior is at its core a bid for attention and approval, rather than a true search for identity) to find out who we are. There is nothing shameful with following in the footsteps of those who came before.

The second is this idea that disagreement is wrong. This idea that anyone who does not support the majority must be bigoted or discriminatory, with references being thrown around about Jim Crow laws and similar behavior. Some people are like this, sure. But only a small portion. I absolutely detest this idea that my friend would believe that I'd hate him for not believing in God. Sure, faith is a huge part of my life. But why does that mean I have to hate people who don't believe? Especially my best friend? That is just wrong. The LDS Church released a letter about the treatment of people who identify as homosexual, and I believe I referenced it in another post. In this letter, it said that even those who behave in ways that the Church expressly forbids- even those who behave sinfully, and most especially them!- deserve our love and respect. Imagine that! Being able to disagree and still be accepted by your loved ones. What a concept. 

I believe in loving despite disagreement, in accepting what I cannot change and loving the person for who they are and not in a way dependent on certain life choices. I am a firmly religious person, and a Mormon, yet two of my good friends are gay, and my best friend is an atheist. They are some of the greatest people I know- better even than those who profess to believe what I do!

What a change the world would see if we tried to accept others' life choices. Accept others' rights to vote for OR against an issue. Accept someone's right to believe OR not. Try it out- it's amazing what kinds of great people you'll find right under your noses.

My best friend and I are closer than ever, and now I know that he knows that he can trust me with anything and it will not stop me from caring. It may have hurt a little, but my acceptance ensured that if I need it, there will be a shoulder to lean on. Far more good came than bad. I urge you to try it as well.