Are online friends real friends?

I once knew a girl whose pastor had told her "if they can't help you change a tyre in the middle of the night, they're not real friends". He was speaking about internet friends, and how they, in his view, are somehow less real than in person friends.

Now, personally, I could be with you when you get a flat, I'm not going to be able to help you change a tyre. I may be able to guard you while you do it, I can call a mechanic if neither of us have the skills, and I can certainly help you eat any snacks you may have in the car, but no matter how close I am, I will not be able to do much to help you change a tyre.

But what about providing for your spiritual needs? Can I edify you with my tongue? Yes. Can I give you sound advice? Yes. Can I share Scriptures with you? Yes. Can I pray for you? Yes. All of this is possible whether I'm right next to you, or on the other side of the planet. If we are connected electronically, we can be connected spiritually.

Solomon seemed to agree, when He said "better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away". The obvious implication being you don't need any physical connection with someone for them to help you out. A complete stranger can help you with your car, whereas some people move thousands of miles away from their own parents. Distance does not affect a relationship, and so to those who say internet friends are not real friends, I'll thank you not to cheapen my relationship with some of the most wonderful people who have ever pushed and pulled me closer to my God.