How do you keep a friendship despite severe moral differences?

Catholic Warrior: How do you keep a friendship despite severe moral differences?
I have a friend, and lately our friendship has been a little shaky. Recently, I found out that he lied to me, and that he never would have told the truth if I hadn’t made it perfectly clear that I knew already.
These lies were generally about moral differences. When such things are really important to you, how do you look past them and keep the friendship strong?
Is there a way you can hope to get your friend to see things your way?

Answers and Views:

Answer by thomas b
Differences in culture are cool. It makes it interesting. If it’s like activities and stuff, then that’s a little different. The best friends have their stuff they do together all the time like play golf.

Answer by xxsexiiii
well if you are good friends you shouldn’t make a big deal out of it ! believe me keep your close friends its hard to find real ones these days ! and people are different
people make mistakes 🙂
noone is perfect .. dont lose your friends for a silly reason !

Answer by Kaladamier
I know exactly how u feel, a friend of mine has completely different political views and it’s really hard to avoid talking about those subjects. But, i think what kept us strong was that we accepted each other w/o trying to change the other. When something comes up in a conversation that we both disagree on, we politely listen to the other’s side and consider it. Then, u give ur side. It’s not a debate, just a discussion, and we’re very careful to not let it turn into an argument. The thing is, u have to work very hard and u have to make it clear that he has to work hard too if he wants to continue the friendship. But the work is totally worth it if he’s a good friend. We’re also very open with each other. Tell him how it hurt u that he lied to u, but also realize that u might have some faults in this friendship too. Ask him about how he feels about u, if u’ve been doing something that bugs him (tell him to be totally honest), try to change that. If he goes to do something that u completely disagree with, you don’t have to participate in it.

But u might not be able to keep this friendship, if it’s only u contributing, then that’s just him saying he doesn’t think u 2 can go on. Any kind of relationship has both people working together on it, not just one. If this is the case, i’m sry but it’s time to move on. This happens to everyone in life and usually, the other person regrets letting u go. Just keep in mind that it’s not ur fault because u still tried to fix whatever the problem was but they didn’t do anything to help.

It’s mainly about acceptance and looking at the good things about that person. Everyone has their down sides right? Good luck!

Answer by Chris
When he lied, was he lying to agree with you? If so then you should consider him a good friend. Perhaps he liked being your friend so much that he decided to overlook your different beliefs, but was afraid that once you found out that he didn’t think the same way, you would stop being his friend so he decided rather than cause a fight and end up without a friend, he would just agree with your ideas to appease you and avoid severing your friendship. Do you really have a right to be angry at him for trying not to break your relationship? After all, you are dissapointed that he doesn’t believe what you believe so why should he have told you the truth? I suppose you could get him to see your way, but he may just end up lying to you again so as to stay friends. I mean, is it really possible to control someone’s beliefs? Maybe you should tolerate him in the same way he tolerates you. Try listening to each others ideals without getting angry and explain to each other why you think what you think. Don’t expect him to accept your ideas as his own though. He has a right to his own beliefs and you have an obligation as his friend to respect them. Hope this helps!