If you're not religious/a church-goer, could you date someone who goes to church regularly?

[beebella]

Or do you think that would become problematic at some point?

Yeah, I think I could

I don't think I could

I have and would do it again

I have and would prefer not to do it again

Another opinion/Results

[EmyyWolf]

I could if he doesn’t force his beliefs and opinions upon me.

I used to be extremely Christian within an extremely strict Christian household. Rules and lectures from Father was almost militant.

Nowadays I would consider myself half a Christian. Due to my morals and values. But do I believe everything in that religion…”NO”.
I even believe that those in power have altered the Bible and the true stories all together. It’s not something concrete and realistic like it should.
They even say that the true QURAN is hidden in the Vatican, so what does that tell us?
That they’re lying to us!!! 🤨

I just don’t trust easily anymore.

Most of those who are church fans , they think that by visiting a building and praying that all their faults and sins will be removed like a bandage! I personally don’t believe that. You have to pay for everything you’ve done. I think those who messed up or sinned they have to come back and relive and relive endlessly.
Some parts of the Bible like the flood, there being giants, and the earth being flat. I do believe because there’s is proof almost everywhere you turn. And I’ve looked up and looked up and I keep coming across the fact that today’s governments are trying to ridicule the Bible.

So I do think we are in an age of deception. I’ve also found out that dinosaurs were never real. That it’s all been fabricated, but that giants , titans and dragons however Did Exist.
And whoever finds proof of their existence is either eliminated, or the power that be, the immediately scream “dinosaurs”.
So yes there’s a lot going on.
Apparently all of our history has been falsified and created by those powers. Not only that , but they’ve found that all those huge artistic buildings in Europe weren’t created by regular Horse-Carriage type people. They were either. Made by a much taller type human kind or a more advanced human kind. So much has been hidden from us. And we’ve been brainwashed by tv and the powers that be. I can only offer insight. Go to the website ( BITCHUTE) you can even find info on the new CURE- MEDICINE- they’ve given us 🤫

[Cynicaldreamer]

I actually dealt with that issue in the past: a guy I used to like was religious and regularly attended church. It didn't phase me or turn me off from liking him.
While I'm... I won't say I'm atheist, but I'm not exactly very religious either; I just consider myself a "decent person."

Anyway, I don't attend church- it always bothered me how hypocritical most (not all) religion organizations and church-goers are; I saw that at at young age when my mom first took me to church! But I still support my friends, family, and anyone that chooses to believe in that. Back to the question-

If a guy I was interested in was religious, I'd still be interested in him and willing to date him, even if we didn't share the same views. Heck, lots of couples have opposing views in regards to religion, politics, finances, etc... but a relationship can still work if they communicate and compromise as need be. Meaning I might attend his church occasionally to make him happy and support him... occasionally, such as special occasions: not all the time.

[Jamie05rhs]

I'm answering from the opposite perspective; I hope you don't mind.

I am a religious person, and I like going to religious meetings (whether that be church or Bible study or anything else of that sort.). I like it because I think it helps me be a better person. If I don't go for a while, I forget Jesus' teachings, and I can become a complete asshole.
The importance of going to church isn't out of duty; it's because humans are forgetful. It's the same reason why professionals have Continuing Education courses. And it's also the same concept behind the idea of making people re-take driver's ed later in life, which some are proposing.
It's all about keeping your mind fresh and staying focused and centered.

If my girlfriend didn't want to go to church with me, that would be perfectly fine, because I wouldn't want her to go to church with me either. I don't think that people should get spiritually entangled until they get to a point where they're seriously considering getting married to one another (aka engagement).

If my wife didn't want to go to church with me, that would be fine as well; but I would ask her why. If she didn't feel comfortable at the church that I preferred, then I would collaborate with her and work together to find a church that met her needs as well as mine. Religion is a very personal thing, and it should not be forced on anyone.

[Twalli]

What if she just isn't religious at all. You can be moral and non religous

[Jamie05rhs]

@Twalli Great question. Personally, I'm undecided on that. But I personally have nothing against people who don't believe in God.

[Jamie05rhs]

Thanks for the MHO. :)

[Sixgunsound]

When you cannot come to an understanding about such a fundamental part of who you are as well as who the other person is, there are going to be irreconcilable disagreements. Dating outside your religion/lack of religion is also living a lie, in that either your religion doesn’t matter to you because you can discard it for the sake of convenience. That being the case an honest person would stop believing, but then have to navigate the entire previous portion of their life being a lie. Joining your partner’s faith or lack of faith causes a similar issue. If your religion is important enough to you to maintain and isn’t a switch you can turn on or off depending on your current relationship, it is incompatible with someone whose worldview disagrees at a very fundamental level. If kids enter the chat, you have a whole new set of issues, which are completely unjust to subject someone who didn’t ask to be here to.

[ManOnFire]

I am a "Christian" myself but I don't go to church and honestly could not date someone who’s heavily into it. The churches more often than not are toxic and don't really preach the truth.

[Firegirl258]

I really think it would depend on how they act about religion and would talk to me about it. If they try to force their religion on to me (which has been the only experience I've had with a previous religious partner) then I would not have it at all. It's one thing to be religious yourself, but it's another to force me to go to church and follow the bible. Its disrespectful to my own beliefs and views. I also think it would be more complicated if you planned to have kids in the future. Definitely would need to talk about that kind of stuff before things get too serious.

[Anonymous]

My very Christian mom is married to my very Atheist dad, so anything is possible, but from my personal experience, if the person is super religious where it's at the forefront of their lives and every aspect is ruled by their religion, it's unlikely we'd make a good match, but if they are self-contained and don't feel the need to convert you or shame you or try to change who you are to fit into what they feel makes a person complete, then sure, I could see it happening. I've never actually tried to date someone super religious, but never say never.

[DonkeyDan]

I could not, I've dated girls who have been into religion before and our differing belief caused issues.

Mainly my belief that religion is for the weak, and for these who need guidance in their life, and don't have enough moral fibre of their own to not have to turn to a higher power to lead them.

I appreciate this will upset a fair few religious people, but that is the way I feel about it.

Also that over the centuries the biggest cause of conflict around the world has been due to differing religious beliefs.

So no, I will not be dating anyone who takes religion seriously.

[Zenit93]

What about high status strong individuals who are Christian? For me, I’ve served in the Marine Corps with some of the toughest men I’ve ever met. A lot of them were Christian and weren’t just using god as a way to cope. Jordan Peterson for example is a Christian. He’s not somebody as I’d describe as weak at all if we’re judging by socioeconomic and social status. Plenty of others I could mention. My question isn’t a debate. It’s a genuine question.

[DonkeyDan]

@Zenit93
And you don't know the mental strength of any of these people. People rarely know the mental strength of anyone, that's why so many people are surprised when someone commits suicide out of the blue, and say I bever knew he/she was struggling. The need to have a higher poeer to look up to is what keeps them strong. Many people don't need a higher power to look yp to to stay mentally strong.

[Zenit93]

If we cannot gauge mental strength, then how do you gauge mental strength of those who you define as weak?

[DonkeyDan]

@Zenit93
Yes fair point, only an individual can estimate their mental strength. I just going from the religious girls i webt out with and ehy they wht they followed religion, abd fir both of them its because they felt they needed spiritual guidance in life and felt anxiety when they weren't being true to their religion. I've spoken to other who felt a similar way. I was raised in a Christian family, my grandmother was exceptionally religious, she wouldn't make a decision until she had, and I yse her own words here, considered how the lord would see it.
I chose not to continue following religion when I left my family because I didn't feel I needed a higher power for guidance I was strong enough to make my own choices and not have to answer to a perceived higher power.

[Zenit93]

I would describe myself as I try my best to believe and act as if god is real. If he is, then I couldn’t even imagine the bliss that it entails. How did your decision pan out for you? Are you fulfilled and content in your life?

[DonkeyDan]

@Zenit93
I am very content and happy in life, life is great for me.

[Zenit93]

That’s good. I feel like 40s are the years in which you’ve mastered your emotions and self. Usually in the prime of your career as well.

[DonkeyDan]

@Zenit93
I would say that's correct for many people yes.

[t-8900]

No I'm a Christian but I take a more laid back approach and it's because the church is the souls of Christians which gather. The eternal church is in heaven, not earth. The churches here are posers that just try to take money and project politics and opinions that honestly aren't mentioned in the Bible
I believe it's good to gather, to pray and feast like oj the weekends for dinners and stuff. I believe vyoud be better off if you invited friends and family over, had a cook out, prayed over the food, and maybe talk a bit about scripture. That to me is basically the closest you're gonna get to genuine observation in this day and age

[Emiliamazing]

Married one :-). It’s not that I don’t believe in God, I simply wasn’t raised in his faith. If I did not believe in any religious entity so to speak, maybe things would be different, but we have a happy marriage and seemingly no issues on this subject.

[Emiliamazing]

He goes and it seems to put him in a good state of mind. Our children go with him and seem to enjoy it for various reasons. I attend at times, and that’s how we roll.

[Jamie05rhs]

That's really cool. :)

[Djaay]

Emiliamazing... .. Do you have any idea of what you just said?

[Emiliamazing]

@Djaay Felt like it was pretty clear. I married a man who goes to church. We are happy and without issues related to that fact.

[Djaay]

You mentioned you were'nt raised in his faith. Religion is A demonic bc its core is man-made traditional values that are from man words and not GODS words through scripture. I know they hide behind scripture as they all hide behind the Bible. A personal relationship through CHRIST to GOD is whats commanded from scripture. Not a counterfiet christian who goes to church to sing Amazing Grace they'll never experience.

[Emiliamazing]

@Djaay well rehearsed. I don’t think anyone’s hiding behind anything in our home. Some people like to be within a structure. What matters, as you said, is a relationship with God. Go pick a fight somewhere else.

[Djaay]

Not fighting , (REMINDING) instead like it commands all of us to do . Why the problem with that?

[Trevelyan88]

I don't think my acceptance of their faith would be the problem.
As long as they could accept that I would never be religious and that I wouldn't accept any potential children to be forced to be religious. If they could accept that, we would be fine, however I think very few religious people could accept that.

[Phoenix-gb]

It would depend, if we were able to compromise on the fact that their belief is theirs but not shared by me, and are happy for me to stay home while they go to church, then I can't see any reason why it couldn't work around that sense.

However, if they are strict and devout then I can see some of my humour grating in that regard, so probably not the best match possible.

[muscularbumblebee]

No way not happening. I mean never say never if I was in love I’d try but.. I’m an atheist and went to catholic school and church every Friday and there’s no way I’d be able to date someone heavily religious or going to church regularly.. just we wouldn’t be compatible

[laurieluvsit]

Yes, but it depends on what his individual beliefs are.

I don't think God is against premarital sex but many church goers do, so that would be a deal killer.

I have a girlfriend whose father is a pastor and he thinks that way but she doesn't.

[melanieeeB]

I'm honestly not sure... like nearly every religious person I met, weren't church goers or strongly practiced outwardly you know. Religion has never been a problem or a big discussion to begin with.
But I have rejected people, when they were muslims tho I know that I couldn't handle that

[melanieeeB]

Mostly the people I met had at least still the same views as I do and that's why it still worked

[Cherry234]

I believe in God but I don't go to church regularly. I think I could date a guy who goes to church regularly as long as he doesn't force me to go. I don't want to be with a guy who is overly religious and tries to force his religion on other people or tries to force me to take religion more seriously.

[IveGotNoName]

I couldn't. Because it would cause too many clashes between us and between me and my family. My parents are religious and have been trying to pull me back to church, even though I do not believe in God. Me dating someone who goes to church would make them assume I'm coming back, and make them even disappointed with me when I don't come back.

[AndrewMG]

100% , my best friend is someone who is religious and goes to church on a regular basis but we get on, we just compartamalize those aspects so rarely speak about them and when we do we respect each others opinions, no different to having a friend/partner with a different political view than yourself. I've always said that my favourite people in the world are those people that have similar interests than me but also a different point of view, keeps life interesting.

[Anonymous]

I have before. If you both respect each others choice, then it doesn't have to become a problem. But there's more to it also, such as bring up children, and if your partner wants to "convert" you, or their family does, those are problems. All things to look at.

[msc545]

I think I could do it as long as they don't proselytize but in my experience unfortunately these people tend to do exactly that. They also insist that you share their beliefs and I'm not about to let anybody tell me what I should or shouldn't believe.

[Seinna]

When I was an atheist I couldn't imagine being with a religious person.

Now that I'm a Christian I can't imagine being with a non-Christian lol.

[DaveJord]

I said I don't think I could, because every women one I tried to date that went to church regular never got serious about wanting to date a person who didn't and wouldn't.

[Adam1978]

Probably not, It's a place I wouldn't follow her too. But those people have traits I simply think would ruin the whole relationship. They would simply not accept my lack of faith.

[spartan55]

I've dated a few holy rollers in the past and they said they didn't care, but they weren't being honest. I told them they couldn't take me to church with them or they would get struck by lightning.