Christians Make Friends Online

ChristiaNet.com, the world's largest Christian portal with twelve million monthly page loads, asked readers to participate in a new poll by answering the question, "Do you prefer to make friends online?" Numerous Believers love to make new Christian friends online. An excited reader writes," Yes, I love to communicate with others and share Jesus with all!" Bill Cooper, President of ChristiaNet says, "It is possible to meet good Christian people online and more than that, it is also possible for Believers to encourage and minister to one another."

Out of 310 participants, 141 responded "yes" to the survey question. Some Believers are finding themselves at home more and have fewer opportunities to meet new people. The Internet is making it possible for these Believers to develop friendships with other Christians. To make friends online is seen by many readers as a unique way to meet, especially when some of these people are located in other countries far away. One Believer wrote, "Over the past eight years I have met hundreds of friends online. I still write to over 100+ people and have been invited everywhere from Africa to Ireland and in between!"

Ninety-six readers prefer making Christian friends face-to-face. One reader portrayed a positive attitude by sharing, "I prefer to make friends, whether online or not, what is important is making friends." Some of the participants in this group may prefer face-to-face friendships but they aren't against using the Internet to make friends online. Readers in this group overall seem to be a little more suspicious of acquaintances online simply because they cannot witness body language and feel that it is harder to judge if someone is sincere when they can't be seen.

Seventy-three participants were unsure about making Christian friends over the Internet. The readers with this group share some of the same concerns as those who answered no to the survey question. One reader shared a concern by stating, "It is good, but most of the time we do not keep them..." It may be a little harder to connect in person with friends that are made online but does that mean that those friendships may not last as long as face-to-face friendships? Some readers think so.