Same here. I respect others to have their own beliefs, and I expect them to respect mine. We can talk with each other about what we each believe, as long as we don't try to convert each other.
I remember being on my last ship, (an MSC vessel), and was sharing a stateroom with the Ship's Chaplain. Well, apparently the higher ups thought it would be interesting to see how long we remained room mates since the rumor going around about me was I was an atheist (actually, I'm Taoist). And, they thought we would fight like cats and dogs, so they bunked us together to see how long we'd be able to stand each other. Pack came into the room a week later and told me that there was a pool on how long we'd stay room mates, and we then had a discussion. I told him I was a Taoist, and believed an Eastern philosophy, and I understood that he was an Evangelical Baptist. I told him we could discuss spiritual matters, even religious ones as I'd been brought up in various Christian faiths, but we had to promise to not try to convert one another, or belittle one another for what we believed. I also told him to pick the very last block on the pool, as I thought we could be roomies for the duration.
He said that sounded fair. We had many discussions late into the night about what he believed and why, as well as what I believed and why. Not only did we get a better understanding of one another, but we also helped to expand one another's understanding of God. Lots of good conversations with that man, who was a very good person with a very strong faith. I respected him for his views, and he for mine.
Well, on the day Pack transferred, I saw a set of brand new very nice, very high thread count sheets on my bunk with a note. Pack told me thanks for being his roomie, and for expanding his knowledge. He also said that the sheets were my "cut" from the winnings as he felt he should share a little bit with me. I know the sheet set was around 150.00, so he must have won at least that much, if not quite a bit more.
Yeah...............people with differing viewpoints on who and what God is CAN have good conversations and remain good friends. Might even teach other a little something along the way.
