Can a Christian date an atheist?

Question

My Christian girlfriend told me that it is inappropriate for a Christian to date an atheist and thought herself wrong doing so. I thought it was ridiculously bullsh*t so I am hoping for some nice answers. Does the bible say anything like this? Why on earth would they outcast atheists? (It prompts me to think that this is some religious discrimination of some sort.)

Answer 1

The bible says we shouldn't get "unequally yolked" with any unbelievers. So we shouldn't date atheists, buddhists, muslims, etc. either.

Answer 2

There are some verses in the Bible which talk about 'what can light have to do with darkness' and 'do not be unequally yoked', which are generally interpretted as saying you should only date other Christians.

The intent isn't to discruminate against others, but obviously the results can end up that way, such as in your case. The intent was for Christians to have their closest relationships with people with the same priorities. If a Christian is trying to focus on glorifying God in all things, its hard to have a boyfriend/girlfriend who doesn't care about that. Also, it deals with the Chrisitan belief that sex should only be in marriage. An unreligious person typically wouldn't have that same opinion, and so the danger of falling into it is greatly increased. It's hard enough to not do when both people agree it should wait.

Probably not what you wanted to hear, but hope it explains a little of why she thinks its wrong.

Answer 3

I am a Christian,and I want to make sure that I say first off that we aren't discriminating against others. I guess some might, but I can't help how they feel. I am not discriminating anyway. The Bible does say that it is wrong for a Christian to date one who doesn't share our faith. The reason in this is because sometimes people can't control how they feel, I know that for sure, and if we date some one who doesn't share our faith then we might be led to do something we are tempted to do but know we shouldn't. That other person wouldn't be able to understand that and instead of helping us avoid that temptation, they would probably incite us to do what we shouldn't.Do you understand? Sometimes I don't even sometimes, but I just remember that God set the standards in His word to help us. Like the not having sex before marriage thing. I would rather marry some one who will only have ever been with me, and I am sure it's the same the other way around. I went out with a guy who didn't share the same faith as I did and he ended up wanting me to go farther than I was willing to and it ended really bad. My mom was a Christian and my Dad wasn't at first. It all worked out in the end though and they have still been married for over 20 years. My mom is still having children too, which is awkward for me when I am supposed to be graduating in a year, but I am still happy for them.

Answer 4

its not inappropriate, but certain problems will arise because of it. like you'll want to smoke weed and she'll say it is against what she believes (just an example) this might start a fight.

Some christian fundamentalists believe that having sex with a non-christian poses problems.

its something like... all humans are somewhat posessed by evil spirits. This is what makes us lie, have bad thoughts, etc. We are slightly posessed or being controlled, like a puppet. When a person has sex w/ another person, their spirits are shared. And thus the evil spirits now can posess another person. This is no good for a christian dating a non-believer bc they would in theory probably be more posessed. Not always true tho.

I'm not quite sure if I believe in that theory.

But if she is a christian, she might not have sex w/ you anyway under the no sex until marriage part.

In which case, I don't see the problem with it.

The bible says nothing about dating non-believers, just marrying.

Answer 5

People date as a way to prepare themselves for marriage, to find out if they are right for each other. If you are an atheist and she is a christian you will not agree on a major subject. So if marriage did come about and you two had children, what would you tell them, that their mother is wrong and there is no God? The bible never discriminates against anyone, it only says that each person should stay with their own kind, it makes for a better marriage.

Answer 6

I think there is a part of the bible that says married couples should not be unequally yolked...to marry within the faith. Sorry, I don't know the verses, I'm sure one of the christians will though.

Anyway, I think it is bs too, especially since i know some married couples where one is atheist and the other christian. I guess it just depends on her beliefs. Some churches follow the bible literally and view the male as a spiritual leader of the household who should help guide his wife.

Since it is her beliefs causing the issue, she has a choice...either she can decide it really isn't wrong and keep dating you or she can call it off.

Answer 7

The bible says that Christians aren't supposed to be "unequally yoked" with nonbelievers. Some Christians take this to mean that they aren't supposed to associate with nonbelievers at all (this would include not only athiests but members of other religions as well)--but most think it means they shouldn't marry a nonChristian.

Yes, this is going to rankle a nonChristian. But, frankly, it's not a bad rule--for both Christians and the "unsaved". I mean, who really wants to go through life with this issue? Marriage is challenging enough. It's actually pretty important to marry someone who has similar spiritual views.

But to the matter at hand . . . what to do about the statement your girlfriend has made to you. Obviously she IS dating you but feeling badly about it because of your spiritual differences. It sounds to me like it's time for you two to have a talk about where you think the relationship is going, and if the answer is "nowhere", your best bet is to move on. Don't think you're going to change her.

Good luck!

Answer 8

There is a verse about two being unequally yoked together but I can't recall exactly where it is found - however, people of different faiths marry and are successful at it - I would imagine it would be more difficult - but there is also a verse, and again forgive me that I can't quote scripture - but it reads something like a believer saving an unbeliever being forgiven enough for both - so she may want to review that study - she may discover that she is supposed to be with you - I've been married to the same man for 31 years - we grew up in the same church and are both strong in our faith - and marriage is hard - but with our like faiths it is easier - I am not sure how folks of differing faiths or one not having any faith in God would work but they say true love abounds and conquers all - so perhaps - if you truly care for this woman - you and she should sit with someone and study -

Answer 9

I think what she means to say is that often, if your view of the world is not the same for each of you, the way you will approach other life challenges will differ, too. The biggest one would probably include how to raise children. Would you send them to church with their mother or not? Would you let them pray and read scriptures or not? Would you let them serve and attend church activities or not? If you are an atheist who can live and let live, it could work out. But if you are an atheist who is militant and very vocal about your opinions, it will only lead to conflict and stress, and a wife and children don't deserve that.

Answer 10

Do you want to spend the duration of the relationship going through an ongoing conversion process. The Bible encourages Christians to seek out non-Christians for the sake of helping them "see the light", like gay people like to convert straight people.

Jesus himself sought out the "outcasts" to try to bring them peace and understanding, according to Christian lore. It says so specifically in the New Testament of the Bible, a book written by a group of men, not "God".

Answer 11

I've been happily married for 17 years, and one thing I'm absolutely convinced of, is that a similar philosophy of life is necessary for a good relationship.

A relationship between an atheist and a xtian is doomed from the word go.