I have always befriended females more often then men. Not sure why that is, other than I find most guys are just plain stupid, and constantly chasing sex. They are too caught up trying to be "manly" and do not care for meaningful conversation. But that's just been my experience.

I still believe in treating people like people, regardless of what's between their legs. But I've learned the hard way, over the years, how precious few other people share this view. First, most men seem to regard me as a female who looks a certain way, rather than as a person. So there's that. Then, if I happen to find a man who treats me like a person, other people have things to say about it. I want to avoid the middle school drama far more than I want to sift through a haystack looking for a needle to be my friend. It sucks, and I don't like it, but I don't have the patience for such garbage. C'est la vie I guess...

Not by any of mine. I have a number of friendships with both males and females, that have lasted past the 20 year mark. Several past the 30 year mark.
Religion has never come between any of us.