Dating and Courting: Is There a Difference?

[leecappella]

I have a female friend who refuses to 'date'. She wants to court instead. Is there a difference if in both cases the mutual goal is finding that one person to commit to for life? Thanks in advance.

 

[vibrant]

maybe she views dating as simply "testing out" different men, and seeing which one she ultimately wants to pick, and doesn't want that.

there is something about the word "courting' that makes me think that you've already chosen this person, and have in mind marriage.

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

IMO. Dating and courting are just sementic terms that people attach to the process of determining wether or not they're interested in someone.

Some people say thet won't date, but they still go through a period of evaluation when they meet someone.

 

[desi]

For some reason I associate dating with hot premarital sex; whereas, I associate courting with grandma and grandpa hanging out.

 

[LifeInYou]

All I know is I don't like the expectations that go along with either of them

I'm taking applications for a best friend who will someday be my lover....
PM me for further info.

Prerequisites: gives good back rubs, likes to laugh

, loves Jesus

, can handle spicy food

and a woman who knows what she wants

 

[LifeInYou]

For some reason I associate dating with hot premarital sex; whereas, I associate courting with grandma and grandpa hanging out.

.......

 

[Donny_B]

I see dating as where you have no future committments for future dates and you are not forbidden to date someone else.

Courting is where you agree not to date anybody else but to date that person exclusivley, but you are not yet engaged. It used to be called and is probably synonymous with the term "going steady".

Engaged is where you have agreed to marry the other person, but you are not yet married. You could still break off the engagement.

Married is the point of no return, no turning back, as long as you both shall live (Unless divorce comes, of course, but this was not part of God's original plan for marriage).

 

[YouthPastor]

in a short answer to one tat I could meake very long.

Dating is "testing the waters" trying our different people - it can be with someone you hardly know etcc.

Courting - normally happens with someone you are already freinds with - or if it is with someone you don't know very well - it involves becomeing freinds first.

Courting has as the goal - marriage. You are not going to court someone you have no intention of marrying.

 

[Hewitt]

I have a female friend who refuses to 'date'. She wants to court instead. Is there a difference if in both cases the mutual goal is finding that one person to commit to for life? Thanks in advance.

Ask her if she has read the book Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris. He has been one of the leaders in the modern day courting process. He admits that the name means nothing, but he prefers to refer to courting as a relationship built on previous friendship and loaded with accountability.

 

[the_man]

They are just words yes, but they both convey different meanings. Courting is not an issue; when we hear 'courting' we can all assume (safely) that marriage is being considered. Not that every couple that courts will be married, but there is a fairly serious consideration for such an outcome. Some people use dating in the same light. The issue with the word 'dating' is that it can range from "we went out for a movie last weekend" to "we are going to get married in 6 months". Rarely have I heard two people use the word dating to mean the same thing.

So to answer the OP's question, yes, there CAN be a difference.

 

[beetlequeendiva]

My friend says courting is like friendship only stronger - just before the dating stage when a guy and a girl decide whether to date or not.

 

[†§murf20†™]

YES. There is a huge difference. Dating is just going out with different people with no definite purpose. Courtship is when you directly approach and explore the possibility of marraige. Courtship deepens friendship between man and woman who are seeking the Lord for their mate. However courtship does not automatically mean your going to get married to that person. Like I said before you are just exploring the idea of it with that person.

I believe Christians should not date for the sake of it. That is the world's idea of the whole matter. Dating only arouses ones emotions and sensualities but has no definite purpose.

I suggest reading these two books by JOSHUA HARRIS:

1. I Kissed Dating Goodbye
2. Boy meets Girl : Say Hello to Courtship

 

[YouthPastor]

YES. There is a huge difference. Dating is just going out with different people with no definite purpose. Courtship is when you directly approach and explore the possibility of marraige.

I would go further and say that courtship is not exploring marriage - Marriage IS THE GOAL when you are courting.

Courtship begins betweeen two people who are real good friends (but have not dated) - as friends they have gotten to know each other prety well.

 

[bèlla]

.

 

[Smooth Jazz Fan]

Those books are false because that man fell away from the faith and left his wife. To my knowledge.

 

[bèlla]

.

 

[.Mikha'el.]

Semantics, imo. Nothing more.