by Billy Clayton, St Barnabas RC, Thwaites Brow

Friends don’t always agree. One of my favourite times at school was when we had a class debate.

We studied a subject, then listened to arguments for and against a proposition, asked questions and then we voted.

We were all friends when we began and were still friends when we finished, we just disagreed.

We were brought up to believe that everyone had an opinion and had the right to express it without insulting those with whom they disagreed.

Over the years it has become more and more difficult to discuss things without being regarded as politically incorrect, sexist, racist, anti-something.

If nothing else can be suggested then call your opponent unintelligent or even deluded.

The Christian faith is open to wide interpretation and within the church there can be quite wide differences of emphasis or opinion – but no matter what, all are Christians.

When we meet with people of other faiths or of no established faith – atheism is after all a belief – we try to put our case reasonably.

Courses such as Alpha are run all through the year by Christians wishing to pass on their message of God’s forgiveness and the offer of a new life.

Each session will have time for open questions and discussion.

If you join such a course you will make new friends who will welcome you into their lives, because we are all children of the same heavenly Father.

Even if, at the end, you disagree you will still have made new friends. Why not give it a try?