Religious differences?

Question

I'm dating a wonderful guy but we have a different perspectives on some spiritual things. we are both very religious and believe very strongly in our faith. the differences are something we can't get past do we still try and work through it or just give up?? ex of differences: i believe in music during worship, he doesn't. He also believes you have to be baptized to be saved...I believe in faith alone. any suggestion on how to approach the situation?

Answer 1

The most important issue is whether both individuals know Jesus Christ as Savior. The Bible speaks of being "unequally-yoked" (2 Corinthians 6:14), but this only refers to believers and unbelievers. It does not refer to two believers who happen to have some beliefs that are different. If both individuals know Jesus Christ as Savior, there is no reason, Biblically, that they could not date and/or marry. However, that is not to say there will not be potential problems and issues. When / if the relationship becomes serious and is potentially leading towards marriage, the couple must sit down and come to an agreement on what church to attend. If there are major disagreements in doctrinal beliefs, the couple must agree to disagree, and at the same time agree on how to raise your children, and agree on how to live out the Christian faith. It is best for a couple of agree doctrinally...but the most important issue is faith in Christ, love for one another, and a desire to have a God-honoring relationship

Answer 2

You want religious differences? My wife is a Baptist and I'm (for any better explanation) a Pagan. We've been married 25 years, have two sons and we all make a happy family together.

I think the trick is not to take faith too seriously and always give the other person the benefit of the doubt. Personally I think God doesn't care about most the stuff people fight over. He only wishes we'd all just get along.

Enjoy yourself and I think everything will work out fine.

Answer 3

When it comes to spirituality a couple should be on one accord. You can try to ignore your differences but if you continue to see each other your differences are bound to resurface especially if you two marry and decide to raise kids. Can you imagine him teaching your kids they need to be baptized in order to get saved and you say it is by faith alone? I know this might not be the answer you want to hear but if I was you I'd be very careful in getting too attached to this guy. You might just end up having to let him go.

Answer 4

These are serious things. Even things one might consider as minor differences can have huge impacts - especially once children come into the picture. If you both believe in the same God, then if you're both willing to give some you should be OK, but when it comes to religion I see far to few people willing to give at all or even to consider that another person's beliefs are just as important and true to them as yours are to you. Compromise, compassion, and love go a long way to help.

Answer 5

Jessica,
I believe that your religious differences should be handled before you go much garther. If you are both Believers in CHRIST then it is much easier to resolve. The answers should come directly from the Bible. For instance, to begin with... BAPTISM – The Greek word for Baptism is Baptizmo. It means “to immerse”. Those who were baptized in the First Century just as today were immersed in water.

Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

1 Peter 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:3-4 do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Acts 22:16 “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

Galatians 3:26-27 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

John 3:23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.

Acts 8:38 He commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

NOWHERE in the scriptures are we told that People became Christians THEN WERE Baptized. There were many examples of Baptism in the scriptures. It is an important part of becoming a Christian from what I have read. We are told that we "rise to walk in newness of life" and the Baptism "washes away sins". Why would one believe that it was NOT a part of becoming a Christian?

Music was found in the first century church. The command was given to "SING". They did not record that ionstruments of music were used in worship at the New Testament Churches but they SANG. Thus we sing in Church but we do not use musical instruments during our worship where I attend.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Please remember that any and every religious question should be answered using the scriptures and nothing else. The doctrines of man are not what we should be listening to when it comes to GOD'S House of Worship.
Thanks,
Eds


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Answer 6

She believes Christmas is on Jan 7th. She has a right to that belief just as you acknowledge Christmas on Dec. 25th. If you feel it is wrong for you to celebrate on January 7th then don't but it sounds like you have celebrated on both days in the past so she would probably question you sincerity. It doesn't seem to be an issue for you. But it seems that it might be against her religion to celebrate on the 25th. Don't expect her to change her beliefs, just understand that you have different beliefs and respect each others decisions.

Answer 7

Dating is a shopping trip for a marriage partner. It's obvious you have irreconcilable differences here, so it's time to move on. Trust me, the little differences you think you can overlook or work out later now will become huge monsters if and when you get married, and you will wonder how you could have been so foolish to be so blind.

Answer 8

Is this changing your relationship or can you agree to disagree? If you can't agree to disagree then maybe you should move on as it will start to overtake all the great things you have. If you are okay with how he practices his religion and he is okay with how you practice yours, then make it work. Love is a wonderful thing and you bring happiness to each other. Everyone is different, even in the same religion.

Good luck to you both.

Answer 9

Hve either one of you taken a look at what God's word has to say?

Can a person who is not “born again” be saved?

Rev. 7:9, 10, 17: “After these things [after the apostle John heard the number of those who would be “born again,” those who would make up spiritual Israel and would be with Christ in heaven; compare Romans 2:28, 29 and Galatians 3:26-29] I saw, and, look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands. And they keep on crying with a loud voice, saying: ‘Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.’ . . . ‘The Lamb [Jesus Christ], who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life.’”

After listing many pre-Christian persons of faith, Hebrews 11:39, 40 says: “All these, although they had witness borne to them through their faith, did not get the fulfillment of the promise, as God foresaw something better for us, in order that they might not be made perfect apart from us.” (Who are here meant by “us”? Hebrews 3:1 shows that they are “partakers of the heavenly calling.” The pre-Christian persons who had faith, then, must have a hope for perfect life somewhere other than in heaven.)

Ps. 37:29: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”

Rev. 21:3, 4: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

Religious leaders often tickle people’s ears by condoning practices that appeal to those who attend. ther waters are drying up and they will do anything to get kpeople to come and to take there money. 2 Timothy 4:3

Answer 10

I think it's a matter of understanding. It seems he feels his views are the only way, which is fine, but it doesnt need to be that way. You two should be exploring each others religions or beliefs, maybe even adopt some principles, in the end it can help bring you closer.