Absolutely yes. There are parts of those religions that can be prejudiced and hurtful so I would challenge a friend that would fall into them. Of course, if no harm is being done I would be supportive, which is the new position I’ve taken from the advice here. I recognize there are also benefits from practicing an organized religion for a person that might need it.

It sounds like you may just not be knowledgeable about it, so it may help you (and your friendship) to take an open and academic view and educate yourself on the stuff your friend believes.

Absolutely! I know very little about it and expressed interesting in being educated on the topic. I have no problem with witchcraft in itself. I would not be against participating but I told him that it would be, of course, for leisure and entertainment. My issue was him taking this into delusion, which is why I told him it to talk to his therapist about this interest. This is where his biggest issue with my statements came from. He’s been through a lot. He’s currently transitioning from F to M and it’s been putting him through a lot of stress right now too, so I don’t want to him to bear more from what circumstance it may bring from the prejudice around this. Sadly enough, I think that’s what I did with my initial reaction so I made a big mistake in handling this situation.

I think you are mistaking my initial disdain with his decision to explore witchcraft. It isn’t about believing in science, I don’t think I mention science once in my post but I see how it can be mistaken since I mention I come from an academic background. I have no qualms with practicing witchcraft and actually would like to participate myself, all knowing that it is just for leisure and entertainment, and it isn’t harmful. Similar to how playing a Ouija board might be. Others may believe there are actual beings controlling the position of the planchette, but we know that isn’t true.

My initial issue was him using this newfound interest to fall into delusion and have more mental health issues by ignoring the reality around him. His biggest issue with my challenge of these beliefs came when I told him to talk to his therapist about this. I wasn’t trying to force my beliefs on him because I don’t have any beliefs regarding it, although that might’ve been what I did since a lack of belief is a belief itself. I’ve apologised and we’re okay now, I hope. It does not seem like this is harmful so I’ll be supportive of this, just as I’ve been supportive of his other personal troubles.

Neither of us are in our teens or early twenties.

You are correct, although the tone of your reply doesn’t sound very friendly but more condescending. That was his last reply to me because I didn’t reply after, instead I sought advice here. No boundaries were crossed. I apologised and let him know I would be there if he wanted to share with me, we’re on good terms.

This is what I did. I apologized for trying to impose by beliefs (or lack thereof) and showed interest in learning about it if he wanted to share. Thank you.

I’ll look into this, thank you! For now I will be supportive as long as no harm is being done, as others have advised.

Thank you for this perspective I hadn’t considered. No harm is being done as far as I know, to himself or others. He does have a history of self harm but he’s beyond that now, and is thankfully in a much better place emotionally.

This is good advice, thank you. He is not a bigot at all, I only worry for his mental health but as a friend I can choose to be supportive if no harm is done.

I am starting to believe this is the best way forward. I care for N and his health, but this is ultimately out of my control.