I have been seeing this guy for three months, who I really enjoy being with. We classify ourselves as "Friends with Benefits", meaning we are much more than friends. He is open minded, however, a month after being together I asked what his beliefs were and he mentioned that he was a Witness. We pair perfectly, conversation and all, except religion. So I have been slightly troubled since that time. He is opened minded, no bashing of other religions or faiths or anything of that nature, but I just don't know what to do. Please help. I don't want either of us to have our feelings hurt.
2006-08-02 03:53:46 · 17 answers · asked by Hopeful 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You say twice that HE is openminded. That suggests that you are not. So where does that leave the problem?
Just keep honest conversations going. Whoever has the best-defined faith is likely going to 'win'. Or you could just drop the issue entirely, if your lifestyles aren't too different.
2006-08-02 04:04:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem is if you decide on marriage it will be going against what God has said which is to be equally yoked, or in other words to have the same beliefs if you are to be together in marriage. Being friends will hurt nothing but if you marry, then will the trouble begin. Sooner or later there will be questions of religious matters come up and that is when the trouble will rear its head. Unless you can show him what you believe from the bible and he can accept it, you shoudl stay just friends. Otherwise there will be trouble down the line along with a lot of heartache.
2006-08-02 04:03:38 · answer #2 · answered by ramall1to 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see how you get the concept of "opposite" religions.
All religions if you study their history genus and basic philosophies have the same purpose, I.E. The salvation of mankind and the recognition that man is not natively a barbaric "animal" but a spiritual entity capable of higher sates of existence and awareness.
Religious "practices" , dogmas, leaders, God or Gods , other specifics do vary, but the true purpose of religions does not.
The basic messages of the various great "Messiahs" or teachers were the same.
Moses, Guatama Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed.............
There are not opposites. These are all attempts to bring salvation to mankind with the same basic message.
Religious tolerance is also part of all religions actually so I don't see how you could hurt his feelings unless you were not
able to be tolerant of his religious choice yourself.
Basically communication is a universal solvent and I'm sure that if you talk about the subject of religion together you will gain more understanding of eachothers religious choices.
It will only be a barrier if you decide to make it one.
2006-08-02 04:18:27 · answer #3 · answered by thetaalways 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work at the http://www.iamanatheist.com Web site, and the site's owner has posted several conversations with people in your position. There is no problem with being attracted to someone of another faith, but if you want to have a long-term relationship, you need to do a lot of talking. Where and how you would be married is one issue that some people have trouble with. What church will you attend, if any? And most importantly, if you have children, how will you raise them?
Far too many people think that they will be able to raise their children in both religions and then "let them choose," only to find that it ends up being a big point of contention -- both for the parents and the children.
You need to work all of this out now. There are solutions available, and it's important that you find out if one of them will work for you before going much further with your relationship.
2006-08-02 04:01:16 · answer #4 · answered by DAC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how much his beliefs are going to bother you. It already sounds like you're making an issue out of it, do you really think you can handle the difference in beliefs?
There are many couples who are interfaith, who get married, raise children, and have successful lives together. The key is respect. You two have to establish boundaries where the religion thing is going too far, and make those clear and unmistakable. If you're not even comfortable doing that, you may want to reconsider things. Remember that the purpose of dating is (basically) to try people on, see what things you like about people and what things you don't. You can either adapt to accomodate your religious differences, or you can decide you can't and remember that for your future relationships.
Good luck. :)
2006-08-02 04:00:55 · answer #5 · answered by Robin J. Sky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends... if you are satisfied with each other and each other alone, you may make it since he is open-minded. However... are you thinking long-term such as marriage and even children? Two similar religion/denomination such as babtist vs. methodist may be able to raise children in a common fashion or belief but what about two diverse and different beliefs? Even if he is open-minded and willing to not criticize your beliefs, will he allow his children to be raised with those or will he insist on them being raised with his? Visa-versa as well. Things tend to change with children involved. If this is the beginning of the relationship and you are young, give it time before you bring this up but at some point in the relationship if it gets serious, ask before you invest too much emotinally how he feels about the raising of children and find if the two of you are compatiable on this topic.
Good luck!
2006-08-02 04:06:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are no 'opposite' religions. When it comes down to it, we all just want to do what is right, we all love our families, we all believe it is wrong to hurt others, and we all want to thank God (in whatever form you believe him to take) for the gift of being alive. After that, everything else is secondary. If you keep that in mind and respect each other's beliefs, you'll be fine.
2006-08-02 04:05:45 · answer #7 · answered by Cunning Linguist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to do nothing. I have friends who are Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, couple of Jews, non rellgious friends. I get along with them very well because we really don't talk about the religious beliefs. There are plenty of interesting topics to disscuss. So why bring the religious belief into friendship.
2006-08-02 04:01:11 · answer #8 · answered by A K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Attracted to each other; of course! There may be some differences along the way, but if you two are really into each other that will be a small detail that you will work through.
2006-08-02 04:00:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A biblical answer would be to be like minded.
If you are not sooner or later you will encounter problems.
You must have heard that the end times are near, read and examine a good version of the Bible (KJV). Let no men teach you read for yourself.
till then
rudimike
2006-08-02 04:03:50 · answer #10 · answered by rudimike d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋