When I was a hard-core fundamentalist teenager, one of the big rules was "don't be unequally yoked". And from what I've observed, this seems to be a pretty strict guideline in most religions. (I'm over it personally)
I've got a variety of questionstions about this, address what you will:
-Do you choose to involve yourself with people who believe the same things as you?
-Is this tendency to flock together as strong with those who choose to not affiliate with a religion (are there atheists who only date other atheists)?
-What do you think about this whole issue in general?
2006-09-01 16:28:03 · 15 answers · asked by squirellywrath 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think religion is just a means to allow others to take control of you. Whatever your religious persuasion, its your own choice, and no-one elses business, and similar, someone elses religion is not your business.
If religion is the major deciding factor in a long term relationship, then you are missing out on lots of other important things in life.
Best bet is have your own religion, which does not involve having someone between you and your deity, no priests, vicars rabbis or whatever. A direct connection between you and your deity is far better that any organised religion. Then you don't get daft restrictions on your choice of partner.
2006-09-01 16:40:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My latest girlfriend was a Christian (and I'm an unbeliever). That pretty much answers your first and second questions.
And as for the third question, I think this is one of the many negative outcomes of religions. They make us all focus our attention on very irrelevant things. I have met many unbelievers who are really bad people, and I don't want to have anything to do with them at all. And I have met a few Christians who are admirable people, who have done and are doing a great difference in favour of the people around them. I'll stay by these, and not by the first ones. I will choose my next girl out of this second group, and I will not ask her what God she believes or doesn't believe in. I sincerely don't care.
2006-09-01 16:47:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't ever get serious with anyone regardless of whether or not you share the same religion.
Being of the same culture and religion should never be a requirement for marriage. It used to be because many people simply did not travel outside of the neighborhood two or three generations back.
But, nowadays, we have become tolerant or each other, so, get married and have a house full of kids and love one another. You'll be all the better off if you put your background on the back-burner and leave it there and discuss it openly if and when the time comes, prior to getting married.
2006-09-01 16:37:21 · answer #3 · answered by marnefirstinfantry 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a christian, and aside from that being unequally yoked thing, research actually shows that marraiges have a better survival rate if the married couple shares the same beliefs, there are enough things to threaten a marraige, religion shouldn't be added to the pile.
2006-09-01 16:32:47 · answer #4 · answered by malsvb6 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I socialize with a lot of different people, but I would not get involved with anyone who wasn't of my religion. We have enough problems in relationships today, adding a difference in religions is one of the easy ones that will break up a relationship over time. Short term, no problem, long term, big problem.
2006-09-01 16:35:03 · answer #5 · answered by quietwater 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As you get older you realize that you need to have things in common with your partner in order to get along and be happily married. When the religions are different many difficult problems come up, what do we teach our kids? what church will we go to?, you celebrate this holiday but I don't...
All of this brings so much stress and unhappiness. When you get married you have to accept that person for who they are. But you don't believe in the same things? So I agree with you should try your best to date and stay with someone who beliefs in what you believe in and will support your beliefs.
2006-09-01 16:36:47 · answer #6 · answered by honey27 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think many atheists probably feel that it wouldn't work with a believer, so most probably just hope to find another like them. Or at least a lesser religious believer who won't really care what they are.
2006-09-01 16:37:52 · answer #7 · answered by Indigo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you can have a good relationship with others, as soon as you have respect for their believes. I am catholic and my husband is baptist. We respect our religion and we do not get into arguments about this matter. This has been working for us so far for 6 years.
2006-09-01 17:03:15 · answer #8 · answered by lb11 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been dating a girl for two years and I have been a Christian for two months. We are still dating, but I really wish that she was a Christian too, that would just make things so much better. I keep praying for her and hopefully she will become a Christian too.
2006-09-01 17:05:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am a christian, a open minded christian, who have friends of all nationality's and religious beliefs. christian or not. we share our own view and challenge each other with proof and debate. it keeps each person on their toes as well as shares a common ground that each one shares together,for we feel that if we focus on all the good about each and just debate the rest we will still find ways to get along.
2006-09-01 16:44:24 · answer #10 · answered by angelchele 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋