Religious person dating non-religious person

This topic was created in the Dating forum by nikkistar on Monday, April 16, 2018 and has 11 replies.

Profile picture of nikkistar
@nikkistar
9 Years10,000+ Posts

Getting a little serious for once, but I was talking to my ex-husband over the weekend. We had dinner so he could meet the Cancer officially, and when I asked how his girlfriend and him were doing, he indicated that they had broken up. I admit it was a shock for me, since they had been together for about 3 to 3.5 years and I thought they would actually end up marrying. They seemed very well suited for each other, and I liked her for him.

When I asked him what was the reason for it, he told me that they had very conflicting religious beliefs and he just didn't think he could ever do what was required to maintain the relationship. She being a strict Muslim as well as her family, he would need to convert. He is Agnostic, bordering on Atheist. He had done some of the things required for the past year, to see if he could become religious, but at the end of the year, he just knew it was something not for him. So instead of prolonging the inevitable, they ended it. Which is pretty sad for them. She couldn't even talk about him to her family until he converted.

So this got me thinking, how many people break up due to this, and would you entertain dating someone that has a completely different religious orientations. Or how many here, require a partner that share the same religious beliefs. I am Agnostic, so I really am very inquisitive about how religious people feel.

Profile picture of hippiecrite
@hippiecrite
9 Years1,000+ Posts

I usually get on with them better than they get on with me and I’d never write someone off on their religious beliefs alone, but I can’t imagine building a life with someone who had such fundamental differences.

Profile picture of LadyNeptune
@LadyNeptune
10 Years25,000+ Posts

I'm atheist and have found religious people are less likely to be accepting of your personal beliefs. They need to take it upon themselves to convert you. Annoying.

Doesn't work long term.

Profile picture of hydorah
@hydorah
13 Years10,000+ PostsPisces

I don't understand how you can get so far into a relationship without adressing this problem.

I wouldn't even start dating (at least not seriously) a person that I would have religious or philosophical conflict with, even if I like her a lot.

Profile picture of fishcrabscale2
@fishcrabscale2
8 Years500+ Posts

Im Catholic and it is difficult to find a Catholic man in this largely athiest country where im currently at.

ALL the men ive dated were not Catholics.

Life would be a lot better if your values and beliefs are aligned with each other.

We had rescpect to each others beliefs but there is an absence of connection in major life events, celebrations, holidays. Eg. Imagine in a Catholic's life Christmas, Easter, baptism, even Sunday masses are very important and you cant share it with the most important person in your life.

They're celebrating Navratri, Ganesh Chathurthi, Eid, what-have-you and you just cant relate in a deeper level 😟 it is not about being close minded. I also enjoyed the occassions but theres certainly a disconnect.

Profile picture of Ram416
@Ram416
10 Years10,000+ Posts

Posted by nikkistar

So this got me thinking, how many people break up due to this, and would you entertain dating someone that has a completely different religious orientations. Or how many here, require a partner that share the same religious beliefs. I am Agnostic, so I really am very inquisitive about how religious people feel.

Religion was one of my reasons for not taking the Cap ex back. She was a staunch Muslim, and we compromised for 3 years.

Profile picture of brianafay
@brianafay
19 Years25,000+ PostsSagittarius

It’s not really an issue for me tbh

I was raised Christian, and I do believe, but do not actively participate in church anymore

I have had conversations with atheists and agnostics and I see and respect their POV...for the most part I find they do not respect mine, but that’s fine too 🤷🏼‍♀️ I believe what I believe for my own reasons just as they do.

It’s not something I’d be up for debating often, as for me it’s simply not about anyone’s beliefs being right or wrong. I’m more of a “to each their own” type.

I can definitely see raising kids being an issue though if one person feels strongly about their children being raised their way.