Would not wanting to have sex for religious reasons be weird for a potential girlfriend?

[oihamad]

Originally Posted by Petunia 100

Well, where are you doing your shopping? Social functions for your church/synagogue/mosque? Nightclubs? There's no reason a woman with the same or similar beliefs should find your views odd.

I have two romantic interests currently. One is a former classmate of my mine from my undergraduate college in North Carolina who I've known for six years and who stayed in my area to work at and later manage a popular Middle Eastern restaurant. We see each other perhaps twice a week although she says she would like to meet more. She is not Christian, although her father's family was historically LDS. The second is a current senior undergraduate at the University where I am a Graduate Student. We have hung out about 6-7 times in the last few months and seem to share many common interests particularly when it comes to literature. She is a practicing Christian. I am currently trying to decide how I wish to proceed in terms of formally dating one or the other.

[Petunia 100]

Well, if you are serious about your Christianity, it is going to impact every decision you make in life. So if your partner in life does not share your views, every decision will potentially be a struggle.

Also, the Bible tells you to "not be unequally yoked with unbelievers". I think this is excellent advice for everyone, even those of us uninterested in the Bible and Christianity. Choose a partner who views human existence, truth, morality, ethics, the true purpose of life, etc. at least similarly to yourself. If you have an "equally yoked" partner, when you have to decide "ABC happened; what should we do?" it gets a whole lot easier to compromise and agree.

That's my opinion; best of luck to you, whatever you decide.

[xxthinkpinkxo]

Originally Posted by oihamad

As a practicing Christian, I want to remain chaste until I am married. I had sex before I became a believer but feel that it was a mistake now. If I date in the near future, will a potential Girlfriend, particularly one who may not share my religious views, feel it is weird if I refuse to have a sexual relationship/will this be taken as a sign I do not love them. How can I show that I am committed to a Romantic connection with no sex involved?

I briefly dated a practicing virgin Christian guy who was age 30 and remaining chaste until marriage. I am not very religious but had no problem waiting with him until marriage because I really liked him and I wanted the same thing as him (marriage). We eventually didn't work more because of our differences in religion/opposite world views, but the "no sex" component wasn't a driving issue. I never felt like he didn't like me due to the lack of physical connection because I knew the reason behind it. If anything, I respected his commitment. And we still held hands, hugged, etc and he'd tell me how nice I looked, how much he liked me, etc.

I don't think it will be an issue if you find someone who shares your views or at least understands them, since in the current dating world, sex before marriage is often the norm for most people. (Just look at that thread about "the three date rule").