Would you date someone whose religion is different than your

For myself it would not be that important unless they themselves held it to be significant, I know people are going to choose different things from me that I may or may not agree with, but from their side they are in the same position so it doesn't seem fair to oppose just for this reason. I am glad the people on these forums reconise that it is the person stating what they think about religion or atheism: not the denominations as a whole.

Remember do not beg the question just because you cannot answer and that if you cannot answer, it does not automatically qualify you as wrong or right.

Dating or marrying someone whose religion is different than yours will lead to problems. Your belief in God should guide your path and decisions in life. If you are a Christian and he is not, I just don't see how it would work...you are striving for 2 different things in life. A Christian dating someone that does not believe in God at all seems even harder. Regarding children, if you believe strongly in Christianity, you would obviously want to lead your children that way.

Many people have not answered the original question. That's what happens when you post on an open forum. You get what you get. People respond how they want to.

Since you are a Christian, pray about it. Also, the person that called you gullible for believing his change of heart may have a point. I don't agree with how she said it but he really may be just trying to get you back by saying he agrees with something that you said is a deal breaker for you. Obviously I don't know you or him but it's definitely something for you to think about.

Athesists makes me sad.:frown: I feel bad that they do notblive in Jesus Christ. You all should rent or find the DVD series th Turth project and tat might open your eyes. Hell isscary adni woul dno want to face it. Will be praying for ALL athesists tonight

Not trying to be rude or "take that!" but devout believers make ME very sad. It breaks my heart to see them miss out on reason and logic and reality and the beauty of the world as it is, without any made-up stories to jam it into a tight little form more palatable to the frightened mind. Just as you see my eyes closed, I see yours closed. I see you living in a fantasy world with ghosts and invisible spirits in the sky, only able to be "good" or "moral" because you're hoping for some dream-world eternity in a celestial playground with your family and/or you're afraid some transparent, imaginary guy in space is going to smack you down into a lake of fire if you screw up. Looking up to the sky for reasons and praying for divine intervention? I find that heartbreaking and a waste.

So you pray for me, that's fine, if it makes you feel better. And I'll hope my hardest that someone gently thumps you with a reason stick and those eyes of yours open wide to the reality of this existence.

If reading this left you angry or insulted, please, it's not my intent. My intent is to show you that it's a two-way street, and how you view me is exactly how I view you. Lost. Misguided. That said, I have never approached a believer out of the blue and told them that I pity them for their faith--that only comes out of my mouth (or my fingers) when it's tossed up at me first. In fact, so long as it stays out of our legislation and classrooms (and doesn't deny medical care to children, of course), I'm the first person to stand up and say that people should be permitted to worship as they please, regardless of how others view their particular faith. If it made you feel bad or angry to have me say these things, think of that the next time YOU go to say something like "Atheists make me sad." Because the only difference between you and me is that you rejected all deities but one in this world--I rejected exactly one more than that.

Haven't read all of the responses but no. I am very religious and very active in my Church and through missions. I can't imagine what life would be like trying to share such big parts of it with someone who didn't believe in the same. I believe that a relationship should have it's foundation in Christ and that a marriage should be centered on that same relationship in Christ and that together you grow and serve.

I really don't see how I can keep God in my life AND my ex at the same time.

As you can tell I am a Christian, I truly believe that the Father of the house should be the spirtual leader. It is scriptual!!! I hope that you will put God first in your life. He is our savior, and provider. I will be praying for you and your decision. In Jesus Name!!!

Haven't read all of the responses but no. I am very religious and very active in my Church and through missions. I can't imagine what life would be like trying to share such big parts of it with someone who didn't believe in the same. I believe that a relationship should have it's foundation in Christ and that a marriage should be centered on that same relationship in Christ and that together you grow and serve.

This makes perfect sense to me, as I feel the same way--I can't imagine being married to a man who isn't an atheist. It's a core part of who we are and how we view this wonderful world. So I totally "get" what you mean, and I'm glad you've put a lot of thought into it and found what's right for you.

I'm Christian and I don't think it would be wise for me to date outside of my religion.
"How can two walk together lest they agree?"

I didn't just date someone ... I married him!!! (I am non-religious and my husband is Jewish) 12 years into our love affair, we have an amazing, inter-faith family with 5 children who have learned the single greatest lesson we can teach the next generation -- to respect, value and admire diversity.

Our oldest two children live with us, but attend church with their father (my ex-husband) and his wife. One chose to be baptized at 13. Our youngest three children attend synagogue with us.

At home, we celebrate both Christian and Jewish holidays. And our family has also celebrated Muslim and Hindi holidays with close family friends.

I am not presumptious enough to tell others what to do ... so I can't give you an answer about your boyfriend. I can only say that for me, I would find the world a much more enjoyable place if we all took the time to understand and value each other's beliefs ... perhaps more importantly, though, I'd love to see people respect each other's inherent right to their own beliefs (provided, of course, that those beliefs do not involve harming others).

This is a beautiful post.

I didn't just date someone ... I married him!!! (I am non-religious and my husband is Jewish) 12 years into our love affair, we have an amazing, inter-faith family with 5 children who have learned the single greatest lesson we can teach the next generation -- to respect, value and admire diversity.

Our oldest two children live with us, but attend church with their father (my ex-husband) and his wife. One chose to be baptized at 13. Our youngest three children attend synagogue with us.

At home, we celebrate both Christian and Jewish holidays. And our family has also celebrated Muslim and Hindi holidays with close family friends.

I am not presumptious enough to tell others what to do ... so I can't give you an answer about your boyfriend. I can only say that for me, I would find the world a much more enjoyable place if we all took the time to understand and value each other's beliefs ... perhaps more importantly, though, I'd love to see people respect each other's inherent right to their own beliefs (provided, of course, that those beliefs do not involve harming others).

I think this is terrific--I'm glad it's worked so beautifully for you and your wonderful family!

I'm a Zen Buddhist, however I was raised a Christian and I respect all religions and their beliefs even if I don't agree with them. If I had a guy who was Christian and wanted the children involved in church personally I wouldn't mind. Would I go to church with them? No, but I would discuss the bible with them if they wanted and keep active in that respect because I am familiar enough with the word of God. I talk religion with my mother (who is Southern Baptist) all the time.

However if it was something like Catholicism or any religion that really asks for a lot of spiritual commitment from their followers, I could not because I know that would be a fight. Plus some religions highly encourage you marry someone of the same faith.

Luckily my boyfriend and I don't have a religion problem. He's Atheist and I'm Buddhist and since my beliefs don't exactly demand presence at a temple (not that there is one where I live, at least not for my branch of Buddhism) it's not a problem. If and when we have kids I'm going to let them choose their beliefs on their own but teach them the basics which are covered both in Buddhism and the 10 Commandments. If they want to become a Christian, I'll support that. If they want any other religion, I'll support it. In the long run to me it's just about them learning to be good people and if religion helps them find a way to that, then I'll consider it a success in parenting.

No. I could never date someone who is religious. Anything less than a 3 digit IQ is completely unappealing to me.

I don't get why this keeps getting brought up?

As someone who has lived a Catholic-Atheist marriage, I would recommend that you marry someone who shares your own beliefs. Life gets you to go deeper, and if you can do so as a couple, you will be able to weather the tough times.

The beliefs that you raise your kids to have is really important. And if you are a woman, your husband will influence your children more than you will ever be able to. There are studies that bear this out. When it comes to discipline, you have to have the same values as to what is right and wrong, and if your spouse doesn't feel the way you do, the kids get the message pretty fast.

The one thing that I miss the most (and we have been married 27 years), is being able to pray together. I've been really impressed by JPII's Theology of the Body, and I would love to live this ideal with my husband. But that is not to be.

For the question of your x, I would want to know if he is interested in converting to your faith. Is he willing to worship with you? To go to Church with you? If he is, I would encourage him along this path. Once you are family, your lives will revolve around the parish, and if he is a full participant, you will be able to share so much more, and so much more deeply.

I would like to comment that I am saddened by all of the "religious people are stupid and intolerant" type comments. Isn't that a bit of pot calling the kettle black? That seems a bit stupid and intolerant to me.

My husband, in training to be a Pastor, getting his Master's degree in divinity... has his bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering. That is math/science/logic at it's finest, but he still believes in God. Favorite thing I've heard him say is "Sometimes science just can't explain science." As for intolerance, he seems to be more tolerant of different religions, beliefs, sexualities, races, etc than some people in those specific groups that 'hate' Christians because of what some talking head faux-preachers on the television said.

I don't use myself as an example, though I suppose I could. I was raised in a very culturally diverse area and the general rule of thumb was 'anything goes'... you were you, and that was good enough. I still feel that way and flat out told my husband our relationship was not going to work if he was not equally accepting of others who are different than he is, because I had those exact same "Christians are judgmental, intolerant idiots" outlook, until I actually got to be around some. He looked at me like I was an idiot myself for suggesting that he might not be accepting of others. We're big advocates of "judge not" around here.

To the OP... I am sorry your question generated a lot of hatred, name calling, and childishness. I hope you find a way to work things out with your ex that is satisfactory to you. It can work, if you are on different pages in regards to faith (it has so far for many I've seen - and for me personally!), as long as you are both a little open minded and willing to talk about it.

No. I could never date someone who is religious. Anything less than a 3 digit IQ is completely unappealing to me.

Care to expand on what you mean? Surely you must be joking.

I would like to comment that I saddened by all of the "religious people are stupid and intolerant" type comments. Isn't that a bit of pot calling the kettle black? That seems a bit stupid and intolerant to me.

My husband, in training to be a Pastor, getting his Master's degree in divinity... has his bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering. That is math/science/logic at it's finest, but he still believes in God. Favorite thing I've heard him say is "Sometimes science just can't explain science." As for intolerance, he seems to be more tolerant of different religions, beliefs, sexualities, races, etc than some people in those specific groups that 'hate' Christians because of what some talking head faux-preachers on the television said.

I don't use myself as an example, though I suppose I could. I was raised in a very culturally diverse area and the general rule of thumb was 'anything goes'... you were you, and that was good enough. I still feel that way and flat out told my husband our relationship was not going to work if he was not equally accepting of others who are different than he is, because I had those exact same "Christians are judgmental, intolerant idiots" outlook, until I actually got to be around some. He looked at me like I was an idiot myself for suggesting that he might not be accepting of others. We're big advocates of "judge not" around here.

To the OP... I am sorry your question generated a lot of hatred, name calling, and childishness. I hope you find a way to work things out with your ex that is satisfactory to you. It can work, if you are on different pages in regards to faith (it has so far for many I've seen - and for me personally!), as long as you are both a little open minded and willing to talk about it.

I totally agree... and this coming from a husband who graduated from MIT with duel engineering degrees, who is also a Christian... and myself as an Earth Scientist and a Christian... And we try to live the same "judge not" mentality around here as well. It saddens me when people demand tolerance and respect are also the same people who refuse to give it... :frown: