Christians, what is your opinion on dating/marrying someone that doesn't believe the way you do?
Why would you or why wouldn't you? If you would, do you believe you could conform them to your religion? why or why not?
If you wouldn't, can you give scripture to support your reasoning? Thanks to all.
2012-04-04T11:40:45Z
@Fred Hoehn, I absolutely agree. I don't believe a believer should marry an unbeliever based upon scripture. The outcome of your mother's marriage is a very good example. I believe each person should marry within their own religion, or lack thereof. Though I and my husband are Christians now, we werent' when we married 18 years ago. Atleast we weren't unequally yoked then either.
2012-04-04T11:41:30Z
@SylvanD, glad to hear all is well for you, many are not.
Anonymous2012-04-04T13:48:59Z
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It's not a good idea to marry a person who doesn't believe the same as you. It will eventually create a division between you. NEVER assume (if a woman) you can change the other person because about 99 99/100% of the time they will change you to their thinking or cause you to realize you made a big mistake.
I'm sure at least one person has given II Cor. 6:14 as a reason not to marry an unbeliever but if you read chapter 6:14-18 in context you will discover that it does not mention marriage at all. It is a separation from unbelievers within the church. A believer can only be rightly yoked with Christ.
6:14-15 What hampered the Corinthians' open, loving response, which Paul called for? (v. 13) Answer: rival suitors vied for their affections and allegiance. Though verses 14-15 are often applied to various sorts of alliances (e.g., mixed marriages, improper business associations), Paul's primary association was ecclesiastical. The rival suitors were possibly pagan idolaters (cf. I Cor. 10:14) or more likely false apostles (cf. II Cor. 11:2-4). In censure or affection Paul was equally candid (cf. 6:11).
Here's another way of putting it ....
It is nature that determines association. Because a pig has a pig's nature, it associates with other pigs in the mud hole. Because a sheep has a sheep's nature, it munches grass with the flock in the pasture. The Christian possesses a divine nature (II Pet. 1:3-4), and therefore he should want to associate himself only with that which pleases the Lord.
The concept of the "unequal yoke" comes from Deut. 22:10, “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together." The ox was a clean animal to the Jews, but the ***/donkey was not (Deut. 14:1-8); and it would be wrong to yoke them together. Furthermore, they have two opposite natures and would not even work well together. It would be cruel to bind them to each other. In the same way, it is wrong for believers to be yoked together with unbelievers.
From Corinthians: "Don't be unequally yoked together with unbelievers."
If you're a Christian, don't be dating an unbeliever.
My mother was a Christian who dated an unbeliever, married him, and had an unhappy marriage for 67 years before she died. She told me she thought that after she got married, my Dad would become a Christian. She was wrong. He didn't.
Fred Hoehn, www.livingwater.bugs3.com Reference: The Holy Bible, King James Version
As Christians, our first loyalty must be to God the Father thru Jesus Christ.
We have a covenant relationship with Him. He has given EVERYTHING for us and we show our gratitude and love by living our lives HIS way.
To be married to a man who has a deep reverence and respect for God and His ways means that your chances of having a truly joyous, happy, fulfilling marriage are greatly enhanced and he will learn to love you as Jesus loves His Church, which should be an amazing experience for any woman.
It's your choice but I think the following scriptures are pretty clear...
2Corinthians 6 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." 18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty."
When I first met my husband, who is Jewish, we both agreed we would keep our separate faiths. When he moved here (we met online), I asked him to come to church with me, and he did. He continued coming and really liked it. He was baptized into Christ a couple weeks before we got married, but I would have married him even if he hadn't converted.
What you have to remember is to make sure God and Jesus always come first and that your future spouse agrees early on in your relationship that they won't try to change your beliefs, and they respect your beliefs and you (esp if they are a non-believer, as we see on R&S all the time how disrespectful some of them can be).
2 Corinthians 6:14 (NIV) 14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?