Dating

[Renay]

Can a Christian Date a non-Christian? What are your views

[Littlelambseativy]

That could lead to problems. We are told not to be unequally yoked. Though that means marriage so does dating lead to marriage and the non believer can draw a believer away. Touchy spot to be in.

[MorningGlory]

I agree with LittleLambs; dating a nonbeliever (whether an atheist or an adherent to some other religion) does nothing to help a believer in their walk with Christ. It can in fact cause someone to stumble because emotions are powerful things. I'm a single woman and I would never consider it for these reasons. Are you speaking of yourself or someone else?

[Guest man]

Can a Christian Date a non-Christian? What are your views

I think it depends on the situation and the strenght of you faith.

[Guest]

Can a Christian Date a non-Christian? What are your views

Bad idea. The Bible says we're not to be unequally yolked with unbelievers. You'll find that in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

The principle is that a lost and saved person have no real ground for a relationship. This might apply in dating, business, or even a casual friendship. The reason is because each person is drawn in opposite directions. The lost to the world's way of doing things, and the believer (one hopes) should be drawn toward God's way of doing things. This is a recipe for conflict, just like Jesus said. My experience is that the unbeliever just about always drags the believer down. I have many lost friends, but I won't date anyone who isn't a believer. They may not understand it, but most respect standing for your beliefs. Some don't, but that's okay too.

It might not sound the answer you might be looking for, but praying and trusting the Lord to provide the right person for you is the best bet.

[nebula]

The husband is the spiritual head of the woman. Would you want your spiritual head to not be in fellowship with the Lord?

The wife is the helpmate of the man. Would you want a helpmate who is not seeking after the Lord with you?

Often when first dating, the unbeliever will go along with the other person's faith. But there comes a point where they do get tired of catering to the other's religious devotion. And the other starts to feel the strain of being together with someone who isn't on the same spiritual page.

Now before you say this is dating and not marriage, but question would be of what use is dating if not to build towards marriage?

Why spend your time and emotions on someone who would not be a suitable spiritual marriage partner?

[Guest LadyC]

do not be unequally yoked.

hmmm.... does that really apply only to marriage? i think not. i believe it includes who you date, who you hang out with, and who you're in business with.

here's an example. when you were a teenager (or when your kids were teenagers if you can't remember back that far) did you ever hang out with the wrong crowd? and suddenly, without even realizing it, you started acting and talking just like them! THAT is why God says not to be unequally yoked. our influence on the 'bad boys (or bad girls) is not nearly as strong as their influence over us, because we are born with a sin-nature... and because evil runs rampant in this world, and God has allowed satan to do his worst to draw us away from our first love.... which is Jesus Christ.

now, what is the purpose of dating if not to find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with? and if that's the purpose (and it IS, even for those who think they're just dating casually, whatever that means), then why waste time with someone you are not spiritually compatible with?

[oldzimm]

Can a Christian Date a non-Christian? What are your views

Bad idea. The Bible says we're not to be unequally yolked with unbelievers. You'll find that in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

The principle is that a lost and saved person have no real ground for a relationship. This might apply in dating, business, or even a casual friendship. The reason is because each person is drawn in opposite directions. The lost to the world's way of doing things, and the believer (one hopes) should be drawn toward God's way of doing things. This is a recipe for conflict, just like Jesus said. My experience is that the unbeliever just about always drags the believer down. I have many lost friends, but I won't date anyone who isn't a believer. They may not understand it, but most respect standing for your beliefs. Some don't, but that's okay too.

It might not sound the answer you might be looking for, but praying and trusting the Lord to provide the right person for you is the best bet.

Walla299 I agree we're not to be unequally yoked with nonbelievers and I believe that to be in marriage or dating. I think including business in with that group might be going a bit to far. Unless one works in a Church, I can see them not having contact with nonbelievers, but for the rest of us who's job is outside the Church, we come in contact and do business with nonbelievers everyday.

If you think not, every time you fill your gas tank up, your doing business with muslims and for most it is directly because muslims seem to be buying most of the gas stations. When buying groceries, how do you know the cashier is not a nonbeliever?

I think 2nd Corinthians 6:14 is talking about marriage because it is made by God and we are to become one with another Christian, like we are one with Christ.

When one dates, he or she is trying to find the person God has chosen for us to marry, so yes dating falls under 2nd Corinthians 6:14.

[Wandering Sparrow]

Recently found out that my husband lied about his faith in Christ before we got married and he is only Christian by name because thats what his family is. Let me tell you, it is very difficult being with someone like that because without Christ in their heart they are vulnerable to the influences of immoral friends and Satan himself.

I think its best to keep unbelievers as friends and stay strong in your faith. Be an example to them and show them Christ's love so that they will except him. On the other hand, I did used to be with an unbeliever for a very long time and he excepted Jesus as his savior while we were together and he still goes to church to this day. We are still friends and talk every few months and its so fun to talk about the Bible with him. Sadly, this is the exception and not the rule, the majority of the time things don't work out like this. Perhaps he still would have become Christian if we had stayed friends and never started dating in the first place.

I know, I'm giving 2 different answers...but for the most part I don't think its wise to date an unbeliever and we should obey God's word by not being unequally yoked. I agree with the above posters that the purpose of dating is to try to find who you want to marry, so why waste time dating someone that you will most likely have to end it with anyway? I say save yourself the headache.

[Believer1997]

I never went out with anyone with the intention that I was going to marry them. That is not the way I thought - at all. I went out with guys who were, for the most part, smart, interesting and enjoyed things that I enjoyed as well. When I met my future husband, I didn't know it for quite awhile .... (I can be a bit dense). By the time I realized how much I cared for this man - I knew he loved God and me ... I never really searched for a husband. Until recently - watching commercials for internet dating sites - I didn't know people really looked for mates and dated specifically for that reason...