Would you date a theist?

[Jess42]

Ya know, you can call me crazy but I think of all the things to fight for or about or debate in this crazy mixed up world we live in that something that can or can't be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt causes so much strife and has actually cost countless lives to be snuffed out throughout history. And in some cases has cost actual history and cultures to disappear.

Nimrata, congratulations.

[JamesG]

Religion just becomes the excuse or rationalization. There are always other factors and motivation behind even "purely" religious conflicts.  It's usually money or power.  People suck like that.

[Jess42]

Religion just becomes the excuse or rationalization. There are always other factors and motivation behind even "purely" religious conflicts.  It's usually money or power.  People suck like that.

You definately got that right. I generally love people even though I have social anxiety and I judge no one over anything especially theologies so I really can't understand why people can't just leave it a mystery and accept each other's beliefs. Like I said earlier theology is the last thing that I consider about a person if I even consider it at all. If that was the case I would have missed out on a lot of meaningful relationships if theology was a deciding factor. Hell I would rather argue over the control of the remote than whether or not God exists.

[dalebert]

I only just found out about a str8 married couple, friends of mine. I've known that the woman was Christian and fundamentalist in a lot of ways but I only just found out her husband is atheist. He's just always been so quiet and I assumed she would place being a Christian high on her mate choice criteria. I think he's trying to keep the peace but it appears to me that he's the one doing all the compromising by biting his tongue when she starts talking Bible silliness, and by that I mean like taking the Noah's Arc story literally. He's very scientifically-minded.

[Ltl89]

Religion just becomes the excuse or rationalization. There are always other factors and motivation behind even "purely" religious conflicts.  It's usually money or power.  People suck like that.

Totally agree.  Even the crusades has a lot more politics behind it than what's usually talked about.  Religion is a good tool to motivate/manipulate people in joining some cause or power struggle. 

[AnnieMay]

I only just found out about a str8 married couple, friends of mine. I've known that the woman was Christian and fundamentalist in a lot of ways but I only just found out her husband is atheist. He's just always been so quiet and I assumed she would place being a Christian high on her mate choice criteria. I think he's trying to keep the peace but it appears to me that he's the one doing all the compromising by biting his tongue when she starts talking Bible silliness, and by that I mean like taking the Noah's Arc story literally. He's very scientifically-minded.

Sounds to me like he is allowing his wife to have an opinion that might differ from his. And isn't that the subject of this thread -- determining whether, right or wrong, others are entitled to their opinion, and if I can still have a relationship with those who differ? This forum is about atheism, but the subject is about level of tolerance of others with whom I am in a close relationship. Some of my best friends hold political views that are totally opposite mine. But they are good and loving folk, and I choose to disagree while holding them close to my heart.

[Adam (birkin)]

Yeah, I could, as long as they didn't care that I was an atheist. While I may not believe in their god, or in various tenets of certain religions, I could respect the overall message of the religion and I wouldn't mind adjusting small parts of my life.

[JamesG]

They'd sneak up on ya with it and make you sell yer soul for sexual favors. 

[Kylie18]

you dont necessarily have to be a theist to be spiritual. I hold no belief in a god what so ever, but I when asked what my religion is I still say "Thelema", even though I no longer believe in the Egyptian gods or Holy Guardian Angels (or Roman gods that I mentioned in a previous thread,) because I believe the two basic tenets "Do what thou will shall be whole of the law" and that "every man and every woman is a star." Plus I am a very active member of my local Narcotics Anonymous group so spirituality plays a huge role in my every day life (you know "honesty", "open-mindedness", and "willingness")

I also meditate, practice yoga, practice magick, and even pray, but my prayers are directed towards my Will, not any form of a theistic god.

But back on topic... I am in a very nice relationship with a Christian who believes in a literal heaven and hell and the Abrahamic God. Humanism and tolerant Christianity have many similarities. Me and him both agree that people should not be forced to do anything that they do not want to or be intentionally harmed unless in self defense. He treats me like a queen and respects my lack of beliefs, I treat him like a king and respect his beliefs. So yes I would date a theist.

[dalebert]

I wouldn't date Steve Harvey (warning: the title has a potty word), not that he's asking me out or anything.

[janetcgtv]

I'm a theist. A theist believes in the existence of a God but in NO organized religions. Just as a native American in a movie I saw a long time ago. Yul Brynner , the star of the movie told the pagan leader who practiced human sacrifice to look around and you will see that God exists. that you don't need to sacrifice.
Also I believe(for very serious only sin) that there should always be an accounting for sin and must be punished. No forgiveness with out punishment. As Robert Blake said in "Beretta" a cop series,"if you can't do the time, don't do the crime". I say if you don't want to pay for the sin, don't do the sin. I see no reason why God should severely punish Minor sins. In Christianity, Christ says all sin is the same. Why should God say that a girl telling her best friend she likes her friends hair style but really doesn't but does not want to her friends feeling  is equal to a serial killer. I only wrote this last part(about major sin) because you are considered evil if you don't believe in the organized religions.

[Jess42]

Yeah, I could, as long as they didn't care that I was an atheist. While I may not believe in their god, or in various tenets of certain religions, I could respect the overall message of the religion and I wouldn't mind adjusting small parts of my life.

That is pretty much the way I feel even though I am or could be considered a theist. I could give a crap less whether someone that I like or find attractive is an athiest or theist. As long as conversations over either or wouldn't become a push for superiority.

That last part is extremely open minded and sweet, but really you shouldn't have to adjust your beliefs for someone though because they should accept you as the whole package without any adjustments.

[Missamy]

My fiancee is buddhist, it works out pretty well

[dalebert]

Apparently it's more likely they won't want to date YOU.

http://www.policymic.com/articles/91301/the-most-unpopular-group-in-america-is-not-the-one-you-might-expect

[Hikari]

Apparently it's more likely they won't want to date YOU.

http://www.policymic.com/articles/91301/the-most-unpopular-group-in-america-is-not-the-one-you-might-expect

The funny thing is I have never even been with another atheist lol. Religion never seemed to even come up until we were quite into each other. Then again I have actually dated more African American women then white women too so I must be some sort of weird statistical outlier.

I thought the Wiccan hand fasting ceremony at my wedding was kinda neat even.

[DriftingCrow]

That last part is extremely open minded and sweet, but really you shouldn't have to adjust your beliefs for someone though because they should accept you as the whole package without any adjustments.

I don't think Birkin was saying he'd be willing to adjust his beliefs. He said he'd be willing to adjust small parts of his life. Maybe that means if he marries a Jew who keeps Kosher that he'd be willing to keep a kosher kitchen in the house, or if he dates a Hindu who believes in vegetarianism that he'd only serve him/her vegetarian food when he/she comes over for dinner.

Making some compromises in your lifestyle is what makes a relationship work.

[Tessa James]

I have not dated for a long time but enjoy having a wide circle of diverse friends, family and acquaintances.  Dating to me implies an interest in a significant relationship.  So it is a challenge for me to imagine someone with deeply fundamentalist views working out with my humanistic principles.  And then some challenges are completely fun too?

[Natalie]

I won't date anyone that believes in religion or a deity, spirituality or anything else.

[dalebert]

... or if he dates a Hindu who believes in vegetarianism that he'd only serve him/her vegetarian food when he/she comes over for dinner.

Making some compromises in your lifestyle is what makes a relationship work.

[Jess42]

I don't think Birkin was saying he'd be willing to adjust his beliefs. He said he'd be willing to adjust small parts of his life. Maybe that means if he marries a Jew who keeps Kosher that he'd be willing to keep a kosher kitchen in the house, or if he dates a Hindu who believes in vegetarianism that he'd only serve him/her vegetarian food when he/she comes over for dinner.

Making some compromises in your lifestyle is what makes a relationship work.

I know, but with some people even making small adjustments in thier lives are a tremedous thing to do for someone when there are so many more out there that he would not have to make adjustments for.

Your right though, making compromises for a relationship is what makes it work. There are many people that don't though.