Religion and Dating: Can our Differences Work?
- Wednesday, November 10 2010 @ 09:02 am
- Contributed by: kellyseal
- Views: 1,763
You’re Catholic, and have started dating an amazing guy who is Jewish. Although you always planned to settle down with another Catholic, you find yourself drawn to him and to the relationship. You want to make it work, because you want to be with him. But how do you compromise on something as significant as religious differences?
Compromise is essential in a relationship, but when it comes to religion, there’s a little more to consider. People’s traditions, values, and customs center around religious practices, so religion certainly has an influence on our love lives. So how do we decide what to do?
First, it’s important to assess how religious you are and what you’re willing to compromise. If you don’t attend service regularly and are more flexible in your practices, there is obviously more room for compromise. If religion is more important to you however, it’s important to assess where you can and cannot compromise and discuss your concerns with your partner.
Second, be open to learning about your partner’s religion. If you want to build mutual respect in the relationship, even if you don’t practice the same customs, it’s good to share with each other and learn. This is also a good way to understand similarities between religions as well as differences, which brings you closer in your relationship. And keep in mind, there’s nothing wrong with celebrating different holidays together!
Third, assess how you and your partner feel outside of your religious differences. Be willing to look beyond religion and see how you feel about each other in other aspects of your lives. Although important, religious differences can blind you to other significant factors in a relationship, such as mutual kindness, respect, and integrity. If your partner possesses qualities that are important to you in a relationship, they shouldn’t be overlooked because of religious differences.
Compromise is essential in a relationship, but when it comes to religion, there’s a little more to consider. People’s traditions, values, and customs center around religious practices, so religion certainly has an influence on our love lives. So how do we decide what to do?
First, it’s important to assess how religious you are and what you’re willing to compromise. If you don’t attend service regularly and are more flexible in your practices, there is obviously more room for compromise. If religion is more important to you however, it’s important to assess where you can and cannot compromise and discuss your concerns with your partner.
Second, be open to learning about your partner’s religion. If you want to build mutual respect in the relationship, even if you don’t practice the same customs, it’s good to share with each other and learn. This is also a good way to understand similarities between religions as well as differences, which brings you closer in your relationship. And keep in mind, there’s nothing wrong with celebrating different holidays together!
Third, assess how you and your partner feel outside of your religious differences. Be willing to look beyond religion and see how you feel about each other in other aspects of your lives. Although important, religious differences can blind you to other significant factors in a relationship, such as mutual kindness, respect, and integrity. If your partner possesses qualities that are important to you in a relationship, they shouldn’t be overlooked because of religious differences.
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