<p>Like I had said earlier, I think problems would come up if both spouses were devout followers and active participants in their respective faiths. In my experience devout followers were not tolerant of other religious beliefs or lack thereof. In this case, short-term dating would be possible but I don't see how any serious relationship could form without a lot of religious friction being present. A person doesn't even have to be a devout follower of a religion to be intolerant of others. In my hometown there are a lot of part-time Christians. They go to church and do nothing else. No Bible study or other church activities, yet they look down on those who don't go to church even though they themselves are not truly devout in their followership. It's all about the social image and not the religion. But this is a separate discussion.</p>
<p>I'm laodicean myself, and I really can't see myself dating someone who wants to praise God for the sprouting of this tree, or the existence of your cafeteria food (that's thanks to the cook IMO btw, not God), or thanking Him for setting obstacles in your life because it's His plan or something or other. But, that being said, some religions really do make you a more peaceful person, so I guess I could deal with that. But no hardcore Religious junkies, please.</p>
<p>rainbow, i like you ;) I would really like to date a Jewish girl (I'm Muslim btw.)</p>
<p>I don't get it. I'm a Protestant and every girl I've ever liked was Catholic. I guess there's nothing wrong with that, it just means that if I marry one someday I can't have Big Macs on lent Fridays anymore, let alone a half pound hamburger on Good Friday. I do like fish, though.</p>
<p>One thing I wouldn't do is take Catholic communion because I'm a Protestant. Still, I don't feel that one minor difference in religion would get in the way of a relationship. Of course, the girl may decide to get out of the Catholic church--a good buddy of mine did convert a few years ago for no real reason other than that he was upset with the church for whatever reason.</p>
<p>I could date people who believe in God ( I have)</p>
<p>but I don't think I could ever date anybody who didn't believe in evolution. Actually, I don't think I could even be close friends with a person who was 100% creationist.</p>
<p>i caould date anyone of any religion; but not an atheist. they have to believe in SOME sort of divine power, and if they dont, that would just be too different for me, and i don't think i could handle that</p>
<p>I agree with sljaeger, I could date a Christian but not anyone who believes every word of the bible which includes creationism.</p>
<p>I refuse to date anyone who does not believe that the Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe starting with a mountain, trees, and a midgit. I believe that he continues to guide human affairs with his noodly appendage.</p>
<p>Ramen.</p>
<p>I'm single an I am a monotheist. Anybody interested? :)</p>
<p>
[quote]
I refuse to date anyone who does not believe that the Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe starting with a mountain, trees, and a midgit. I believe that he continues to guide human affairs with his noodly appendage.</p>
<p>Ramen.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Pure genius.</p>
<p>I second the FSM requirement.</p>
<p>Yay for the FSM!
<em>touched by his noodly appendage</em></p>
<p>ccgmom, would you mind if your kids converted to Islam?</p>
<p>I <3 the FSM.</p>
<p>Good question- and it's something I am somewhat facing now. While my oldest isn't interesting in converting to islam, she truly isn't interested in religion at all. It is my hope that she discovers the goodness of God, but at the same time, i realize that for faith to be meaningful, it has to be a personal choice. It cannot be imposed on someone. As well, for faith to be meaningful, the belief has to come from your heart, not from a desire to please someone else.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure that when God said "Do not be yoked with unbelievers," he meant it. I'm one of those crazy 100% creationists and I believe the whole Bible...I must admit that I have been attracted to unbelievers (lol, I went to homecoming with a Buddhist), but in an actual relationship, faith is very very important to me. I want my boyfriend/husband to help me get closer to God, not pull me away. I find other religions and points of view interesting, but it's sometimes hard for me to take them quite seriously (especially evolution). Luckily, I've gotten to be friends with an extremely intelligent atheist who has challenged me to become more acquainted with my own beliefs.</p>
<p>Many religions are in the "business" of multiplying...converting other people is a major objective. Now, I don't force my faith on people. Not many people do that. But if you're committed to your faith and truly believe it and know it would benefit others to "join up," you'll try and influence people towards it. Having that go along with romance is not all flying spaghetti monster (I mean, it's not a piece of cake). Personally, I'll stay away from it...dangerous waters there.</p>
<p>Depending upon your personal devotion to a religion, dating someone who has opposite beliefs as yourself has potential to pose problems, especially if you end up marrying them and having children. One thing about religion is that it has a bigger effect in a parent to child relationship than it does in a spouse to spouse relationship...usually. Ofcourse, again, it depends on your personal devotion to a particular belief system, or creed of religion.</p>
<p>Gatordan is right. it is always important to base your decisions on higher powers on what some girl wants. </p>
<p>What if men took this attitude for everything? what a crappy world we would live in. Everyone would be dressed like a homo and have too many shoes. And that would just be the beginning.</p>
<p>And besides, do you think God, Buddah, or Saddam Hussein, or anyone else who has attained god-like status would appreciate your faith if you only believed because you like sex?</p>
<p>As an atheist, there's no way I could seriously consider dating someone who's extremely religious. Even regular church-going (or what have you) is pushing it.</p>