Dates and Dating - The Other Type

[ns_kumiho]

How important are compatible beliefs and practices in finding a partner? Would you consider a relationship with someone of a vastly different belief system from you? What about dating?

How different would someone's beliefs and/or practices have to be to become unacceptable to you in a relationship?

Comments

[greenraven]

I'm married to a Christian and we do just fine most of the time. I think the only unacceptable thing would be unrelenting evangelism or pressure to give up my beliefs and practices. Otherwise, life is all about compromise.

[firehauke]

They are important, at least in terms of making sure that you and your partner will at least RESPECT each others' beliefs. It was one of the main points of discussion when my husband and I were starting to date. Had he not been respectful, I would not have married him.

for what it's worth, he's Lutheran, and I'm pagan. :)

[greenraven]

My spouse is Anglican. :)

[heartofmoon]

My beloved is also Lutheran. And we have wonderful, deep spiritual discussions. We're mutually supportive. We celebrate each other's holidays.

I can't say that I wouldn't be happy if he decided to become a pagan as well, but because he's willing to talk with me and explore with me, I'm quite happy.

[chellyisme]

I would not mind however different the person's beliefs were as long as they were respectful and didn't try to convert me or shove them down my throat. However I don't think a person that truly loves you would do that...

[tribalesque]

Usually religion is something I talk about early on in the dating stages. I like to know how people in attracted to and interested in seeing a longer term basis feel about religion, if they are religious and their attitudes towards worship. I personally have dated mostly non-religious Christians, Agnostics and Athiests in the past, all with very tollerable views that supported my spiritual choices and some even went to the stages of celebrating with me on occasions. But I would certainly date anyone, no matter what religion (or race, age within leagality or gender) as long as they were also tollerable and willing to learn about my religion, as I would theirs. A bonus if we could intergrate all celebrations from both religions into our lives out of love and respect for eachother

[dbmyrrha]

I used to think it was a lot more important than I think it is now. My first marriage was with an atheist who was really supportive of my beliefs, but couldn't really share any of them. My last (decade long) relationship was with a witch (my magical partner, too) but it was pretty much a disaster: Other than the magical part, we had a half-assed fondness for one another and a LOT of baggage.

My current partner is a lapsed Hindu seeking his spirituality and leaning towards a gentle Christianity. I'm an ex-Catholic Traditional Celtic Witch leaning towards a liberal Hinduism. We make a nice pair so far.