How likely is it that a friendship might survive, or even thrive, between an atheist and a Jehovah's Witness?

Ok, so a bit of back story. I got chatting with a lady in a coffee shop one day recently, and as it turns out we’re neighbours. We were both happy to have met someone new in the neighbourhood, and she invited my family around for dinner. Said dinner went very well, and we all got along great. About half way through the evening, however, the topic of religion came up naturally in the conversation. They explained that they are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and enthusiastically started to get out pamphlets for our perusal. My husband politely pointed out that we are atheists, and not interested in changing our minds. Things became tense for a few minutes, the evening wound down and we made a polite exit. As we were leaving they assured us that they had no interest in converting us, and that they were just looking for friendship. They have invited us back again.

So that’s the story behind the question.

The question is, will the other things we have in common be enough to embark on a meaningful friendship. Or will having such extremely different religious beliefs provide a barrier to close bonds?

Are there any of you out there who have close relationships with people of vastly differing religious (or other) beliefs?