I am American, Christian, and my gf is a Korean Buddhist. She seems to get offended whenever I ask her about her religion, which is pretty strange to me, because I don't mind talking about my religion. Any advice?
2007-05-08 15:58:58 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I should say that I dont bring up my religion much with her but dont mind talking about it with other people.
I would like to learn about how and what she believes but she seems not to want to talk about it at all.
2007-05-08 16:03:44 · update #1
Ok, Here is what the bible says about being married to someone of a different religion:
1 Corinthians 7:12-14 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
12But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
So it is not forbidden in the bible if any of you Christians are enquiring about this ;)
2007-05-08 16:11:36 · update #2
you need to give it up, two religion marriages, and I know you are just dating, end up in divorce at a much higher rate than same religion marriages, marriage is hard enough, besides the Bible says you should not be unequally yoked, how can two people move forward together in life if you are in separate religions, or for that matter, separate goals, visions, desires, what will the children study and believe, if you like Korean girls find a Christian one, there are plenty out there
the Scripture you quoted is referring to when a person becomes a Believer AFTER they are already married not one who knowingly gets married to an unbeliever
I love it when people say Christians are so intolerant, aren't you being intolerant yourself? if you were truly "tolerant" you would not care what Christians say, you would tolerate whatever anyone said, whether it be Muslim saying Islam is the only way, or someone who says there are many ways, your response would be well, you can certainly believe that if you wish, so stop being intolerant to the "intolerant"
2007-05-08 16:07:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
Buddhist Dating
2016-10-06 03:55:54 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow. Some very good and sensitive answers so far, as well as some pretty frightening and intolerant stuff.
Keep a kind heart and be compassionate. The comment about this perhaps being more a cultural difference than a spiritual one is very insightful. Many Asian cultures (not all) are much more reserved. Also understand that Buddhism is, as has been stated by another answerer, a spiritual practice and NOT a theistic religion. Buddhism is very compassionate and non-judgmental whereas Christianity (deservedly or not) is seen by many people to be very intolerant and judgmental. Just as there are differences between various Christian churches there are subtle differences among various Buddhist schools and traditions . . . but the basics are the same and can be gleaned from Wikipedia or other web sites. If you're serious, invest a few bucks in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buddhism by Gary Gach. And to try to harmonize your faith with her spirituality, you might read "Jesus and Buddha as Brothers" by Vietnamese Buddhist Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh.
Talk less, listen more. Be patient. Be compassionate.
Blessings to both of you.
2007-05-08 16:44:00 · answer #3 · answered by buddhamonkeyboy 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Wow. So many Christians advising you to either convert her to to break up with her. Christian xenophobia in action.
Perhaps you should try accepting the fact that she has a different religion than you and leave it at that. You may not even be aware of it (I know a couple of Christian buddies who aren't), but when you talk about your religion you may be coming off as being preachy or pushy. If this is the case, then it is no wonder she will not discuss her faith with you. She doesn't want you arguing with her over something that is probably a very important part of her private life.
Learn about her faith. If you really want to make this relationship work...whether long-term or not...you need to be more aware of her background and perspective. Regardless of the concieted claim that the Chirstian faith is the only "True" one, you will never really get close to her if you don't make some effort to understand her frame of reference.
If you are unwilling or unable to do even that, then you really are better off calling it quits: Your faith will inevitably try to muscle in on hers. That's just the way Christianity is.
2007-05-08 16:20:43 · answer #4 · answered by Scott M 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Google the religion or to go Wikipedia.org about it. You can get a ton of knowledge about stuff that way. READ SOMETHING so you don't offend her further and you can hold an inteligent conversation about this stuff. Also, you can't just ignore it because if you ever have kids you need to decide which religion they will be following (or if you will raise them in one). These are important topics that should be addressed, but don't press the topic. Talk about it when it seems natural to.
2007-05-08 16:05:57 · answer #5 · answered by Jesus 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
There is a book by Jack Kornfield and Marcus Borg, where quotes from Jesus and The Buddha are placed side by side. It might surprise you how very similar these two wise individuals were.
For some people, religion/faith is a very private matter. Perhaps over time she will feel comfortable sharing more, especially if she sees that you respect her faith (which I sense you do).
All the best.
2007-05-08 16:07:50 · answer #6 · answered by Colin 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you want to follow the Bible on this matter, you should remember that the Bible says that we should not be unequally yoked. That means that we should not get involved with a non-Christian.
So, the "in your face" question is, what is more important, obeying God or keeping this gf?
How would you raise kids if you got married? How would you be able to share your faith with her? It is a very satisfying thing to have a godly spouse. It is also very disconcerting to have to live your faith out alone while a spouse lives her separately.
2007-05-08 16:09:53 · answer #7 · answered by Bob T 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
There is a chance she might feel you are trying to convert her into a Christian from the way you speak. Or she wants to respect your religion, but is afraid when she start to speak religion there might be conflict.
2007-05-08 16:06:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
mr American, it is quite possible that your gf must have suffered some bad experience regarging her own religion which might stop her from speaking anything about her religion, hence i think you should respect her feeling as you love her very much and you make her sure that you are not the one who is going to make fun of it or even go on gossiping, you puerly love her even whatever is the matter about
2007-05-08 18:25:15 · answer #9 · answered by BABITA 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well my parents are from different religions and they r still married (18 yrs) and nowhere near divorce. It's not really a big deal.
2015-11-26 02:34:02 · answer #10 · answered by Eshitha 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋