Even if that path weren't already closed to him, how comfortable would you be with friends you know wouldn't accept you if they knew what you were really thinking? Friends who casually degrade the things you believe, not knowing you're offended, but who wouldn't stop even if they knew? Friends who you know through a shared activity which is a major part of their lives, which you can never discuss honestly with them? I'd have a hard time thinking of a relationship like that as friendship.