The Narrow way in being a single Christian

[djcasp]

Okay, great.

Doesn't change the fact that they would be too young to give something such as religious belief any true consideration.

Your children are going to be influenced by what you do or don't do. Your not "forcing" them to go to church is going to influence them - daddy's  faith must not be important. By choosing not to have them experience your religion your wife to be has already done the influencing.

She believes that young kids should most definately not be pressed into going to church, simply because if they do they'll feel obligated to follow that religion blindly without having had a chance to experience any other religions or beliefs on their own.

Here is a little titbit for ya.  Taking your children to church doesn't obligate them to anything. When they are old enough they will still choose for themselves and you may or may not like that choice.

[Lee Freeman]

Triad, I have to agree with everybody else. Without wanting to sound preachy, your faith should impact every facet of your life. If it doesn't something's wrong.

Pax.

[starla]

To Triad 1028

Why be in a relationship with somebody who is not on the same level spiritually as you are? To my understanding the purpose of a spiritual compatible realationship should be is that both partners help each other in getting to Heaven. To be upfront, Is your partner helping you in getting to Heaven?Just a thought.

[EruditeJoy]

As a Child of God, it is really difficult for me to not date non christians because that's whom I get the attention from mostly.Why is it that I can't  get a brother in Christ for to be interested in me?It's always the non christian male whom find me attrative and want to pursue a relationship. I wish that the tables were turned. Does anybody go thru the same thing of the lack christian mates in the church? 

Boy I can relate to this.  I am frequently asked out by non-christian men.  The last time a Christian man asked me out......  ............ almost a year???  Maybe more.  Wow.  Long time to go without a single date.

Occassionaly, I find myself double checking the mirror to be sure that I don't have an extra head on my shoulders....or that third eye that I've been overlooking.

[spurly]

Occassionaly, I find myself double checking the mirror to be sure that I don't have an extra head on my shoulders....or that third eye that I've been overlooking.

[starla]

To EruditeJoy

Hello. How do you deal with non christians asking you out? Is is maybe date him for the possibility of bringing him to Christ like God sending you somebody for salvation of soul or non christian men are off limits period. 

[Triad 1028]

Egh, look, I'll be honest.

I'm only 16, and I am an atheist. I don't have a wife, but I do have a girlfriend who I've been with for a year and three months. She is actually a Christian, but only loosely. She's still in the spiritual searching phase. You know how it is.

Anyhow, I can understand most of the things you say about influencing your children with your own religious beliefs, and then allowing them to believe what they choose when they're old enough to give the matter true thought and consideration. However, me, actually being an atheist, am not going to be much of an influence on them. I won't tell them that there is no god, but if they ask what I believe then I will tell them exactly what I believe.

Anyways, sorry for leading all of you under the false assumption that I am a Christian. I merely wanted a chance to converse with other Christians and have a chance to see different points of views on certain subjects.

So, thank you.

[marc]

Egh, look, I'll be honest.

I'm only 16, and I am an atheist. I don't have a wife, but I do have a girlfriend who I've been with for a year and three months. She is actually a Christian, but only loosely. She's still in the spiritual searching phase. You know how it is.

Anyhow, I can understand most of the things you say about influencing your children with your own religious beliefs, and then allowing them to believe what they choose when they're old enough to give the matter true thought and consideration. However, me, actually being an atheist, am not going to be much of an influence on them. I won't tell them that there is no god, but if they ask what I believe then I will tell them exactly what I believe.

Anyways, sorry for leading all of you under the false assumption that I am a Christian. I merely wanted a chance to converse with other Christians and have a chance to see different points of views on certain subjects.

So, thank you.

Well, that explains the nonsense about Christianity not directly affecting your life, like brushing your teeth does.

I didn't have any idea how to respond to that, since it seemed to be so off-base.  Knowing the person who wrote it wasn't a believer makes it easier to understand.

[DCR]

As a Child of God, it is really difficult for me to not date non christians because that's whom I get the attention from mostly.Why is it that I can't  get a brother in Christ for to be interested in me?It's always the non christian male whom find me attrative and want to pursue a relationship. I wish that the tables were turned. Does anybody go thru the same thing of the lack christian mates in the church? 

Just a thought from the single Christian male perspective... could it be that a lot of Christian guys tend to be more inhibitive than non-Christians?  Church isn't always an easy place to meet prospects... perhaps because of certain social dynamics in place.  Also, a lot of guys are not comfortable approaching the girl unless he can tell that she likes him.  Not all men are aggressive.  But, maybe that's just low self-esteem talking.

In spite of the fact that we're supposedly in the era when men and women have equal roles, men still seem to be in the role where they are expected to do the pursuing, not women.  That can be very difficult for men who are non-aggressive by nature.  It seems that girls can afford to be a little shy as long as she has the looks going for her.  But, shyness is a hard road to travel for single guys.

As far as the Christian vs. non-Christian thing... I've experienced some of the same thing.  There have been times when I received a whole lot more attention from women at work than from girls I might have been interested in at church.  But, for me, it's not even a question.  If I'm going to spend the rest of my life with someone and possibly raise a family with this person, then we have to be on the same team... sit on the same pew together on Sunday morning, etc.

[EruditeJoy]

I wonder if, as Christian singles, we attach a immense amount of expectation on what could simply be a fun time getting to know someone! 

In the back of our minds, we're thinking: "Does he/she like me?  Could she be 'the ONE' "  "Are her hips wide enough to bear childen???" (kidding!)  If we do ask ourselves these questions, should not the answer be, "Who cares?  I'm going out to have a good time and to make friends."

Would we ask ourselves the same question if we met an interesting person of the same sex who seems interesting to us and whom we would like to know?  Would there be the same amount of trepidation for a mere coffee meetup, then???  Probably not. 

Perhaps we should just relax.  If we are sensitive to God's leading, then we are free to open up and have fun regardless what the future may or may not hold for our new friend-in-the-making.

Thought you all might find this article interesting.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/singles/newsletter/


Edited for atrocious spelling.

[EruditeJoy]

To EruditeJoy

Hello. How do you deal with non christians asking you out? Is is maybe date him for the possibility of bringing him to Christ like God sending you somebody for salvation of soul or non christian men are off limits period. 

Hi, Darla,

I've always heard this type of dating called "missionary dating".  Dating a non-believer with the hope that, one day, he will come to Christ is occassionally successful, but it is risky business, indeed.  What is more likely to happen is that the believer will have their focus turned away from God. 

Besides, what will it be like to want to share a wonderful new epiphany you've just had about your relationship to Christ to someone who will smile, listen curteously (sometimes) and say, "Gee that's great.....for you."  By nature, though they may try, they simply cannot understand and truly share your joy because they do not have the Spirit.  There can be no true fellowship.  At least, not in the most important area of your life. 

It seems like a painful dead end, to me.

[Bocephus]

Maybe some singles could meet right here on GCM, wink wink.

[EruditeJoy]

Maybe some singles could meet right here on GCM, wink wink.

Somthing in your eye there, Gary?   

[Bocephus]

Maybe some singles could meet right here on GCM, wink wink.

Somthing in your eye there, Gary?   

I am married, but maybe some GCM singles could meet and greet. 

[EruditeJoy]

Maybe some singles could meet right here on GCM, wink wink.

Somthing in your eye there, Gary?   

I am married, but maybe some GCM singles could meet and greet. 

    I know THAT!  I know what you were insinuating; I just decided it would be fun to give you a difficult time about it.