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Alright, so I'm pretty serious about my faith, so I don't want to do something ... well, that wont work out in the long run. I'm well aware of what the Bible says about dating non-Christians. "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14).
This is the thing. I obvsly wouldn't have made this thread if I didn't want to date a non-Christian. I've always seen this whole "Christian dating non-Christian" thing as a moral problem, not as a spiritual problem, because spiritual things can change. Dude could become Christian and then I wouldn't have to worry about any of this. But what if you get married and have kids, what would you teach your kids? One parent would teach them God exists and Jesus is the savior, and the other would teach them that Christianity is wrong, thus creating a schizophrenic environment for the child. There's more examples like this, but it gets my point across.

But the guy I want to date is fine with going to church with me every weekend, he said he actually would enjoy it. He said if our relationship ever got serious and we got married and had a kid, our kid could have a Christian upbringing so long as it makes it's own choice to believe in God and Jesus (which is what I would do anyways). He believes in sex after marriage, against drugs and getting drunk, etc. The list goes on, but basically he's completely fine with me being Christian, doing Christian things, and all this stuff. He'll go Christian places with me and everything, but he's not Christian.

I know that if I date him, I wont be able to have the deeper spiritual relationship that I could have with a Christian, but really is that really a bad thing? I mean, is it any different than a Baptist dating a Seventh Day Adventist or something?

I'm really having a hard time deciding >< We've liked each other for a while, but I need to choose if it's right or wrong to date a non-Christian before I can date the guy...

So...any sort of suggestions/advice is welcomed.

Thanks :}

~holly

As a none Christian, I say good luck. Once thing I learned is that beliefs will clash with anyone in the long run. It's great he said he'll be understanding to your beleifs, but will you be understanding to his?How will you approach him in an attempt to convert him if that's somthing you are attempting? Would either of you get fustated over the other's beleifs? I mean marriage is a pretty big deal, and having kids is a pretty big deal. If you think you can pull it off, the go for itI hope it works out in the long run. But unless he turns to Christ himself, I doubt it will. Sorry to be pesstimistic, but that's the same for any relationship. I would date a Christain, but I can heat lots of arguements in that relationship thanks to both sides.

Your missing my point, and seem alittle hostile with the way you suddenly jumped on the issue of conversion. I'm just giving my own opinion on the subject. Whether it's right or wrong is your's to decide, or I guess somthing you should discuss with your God. I'm saying that in the long run, it might be a bad idea. For now when, assuming, your young it might seem great, and from the way it sounds you both take marriage very seriously, as you should. But think about it? Spending the rest of your life with someone who dosn't share a similar interest and beleifs cannot hold for long.

i'm currently dating an athiest. well, he was brought up catholic.

XD

your religious differences are going to come up, like it or not. He may be alright with it now, but further down the road, especially at a time where you are both stressed out, or he is stressed out, or you're stressed out, or any kind of 'roadblock', it IS going to come up in a negative way. I can't say for sure though, just like how you can't, because neither of us can see the future.

i guess it's all comes down to if you want a deep spiritual relationship or not. I mean, if you're going to take this at a Christian standpoint, you need to make a decision and meditate on if this is going to effect your relationship with God. He should be first in your life above all else. This is something you can't have other people give their opinions on, because we aren't you, and we all have very different viewpoints =/

for me personally, i went for it, and i'm glad i did. but that was -ME-, i can't speak for you and i don't want to. just because it's working for me doesn't mean it will be the same for you.

if you guys are really interested in each other, my advice is to be friends for a while. I said i had to be friends with the guy for at least 2 years before i dated him, just because that's 703 dates, roughly, that i was friends first and boyfriend second. it builds a good relationship and it also gives the option of if something happened, a roadblock, you can approach each other as friends. i'm still friends with my ex, we still have great conversations, and we have the most philosophical discussions about important and stupid things. he's moved on and so did i; we're both happy with who we're currently with.

but all in all, this is something you should be talking to God about, not mortal humans who make mistakes. =]

When it comes to dating, I don't think there's any problem with dating a non-Christian, as long as he/she is a good person. I've seen and heard of many stories of people coming to know Christ by having someone close to them like this. It's a good way to be a good influence.

However, when it comes to marriage, I would have to think twice. With marriage, it's important to be like-minded on as many things as poosible, I'd say. And like Willow said, your religious differences will come up later, and it may prove to be a problem. Also, you have to remember that your relationship with God will probably suffer if you marry someone who doesn't share your love of Him. When the person closest to you doesn't understand your first priority (God, I hope), then a rift could easily arise.

I don't think I made much sense just now, but there you have it. razz

Yes, that makes a lot of sense! It's a very good way to view things. If we are not strong enough in God, then being around someone who doesn't love Him all the time will cause us to stray. Also, you will both go to different places when you die, therefore, not remaining soul mates.