Dating metaphysical types

[ThisIsMe123]

This is very prominent in my area. I meet a lot of single women that are into metaphysics, Zen Buddhism, non-duality, etc. etc.

The pluses about this is that they don't force their beliefs on you, but I think this is kind of a hindrance to my dating experience, whereas most Christians in my area are already married or spoken for.

Friend of mine said, "Yeah, this is a very progressive area".

 

[mukk_in]

I had enjoyed it before, and I have to say "touching and feeling" is a very important part of communicating love and affection to me. I guess I'm more tactile and less cerebral, and get along better with women who are that way. Not sure if purely platonic love even exists, at least while we're still in the flesh. Others are probably different.

 

[Petros2015]

My experience with dating a Buddhist (Mahayana) is that while they don't force their beliefs on you, their beliefs will conflict. Mahayana has a lot of Hindu roots crossover I think though moreso than other forms like Zen, There were a ton of idols at her worship center (my thoughts kept going back to 1 John which ends with 'dear ones, keep yourselves from idols' and her lama was revered what seemed to me as a kind of cultish devotion, proclaiming to be a recarnation from a line of lamas. She was encouraged to pray mantras without being told the meaning behind them to any of a variety of 'Buddhas' some of which had imagery that did not look angelic at all.

On the plus side, I learned a lot about Buddhism. They have a deep appreciation for compassion and all life. I admired her devotion and she spent a lot of time in prayer for the suffering of the world. Many of the Buddhist tenants made sense and were things that I could wholeheartedly agree with as a Christian. There were areas that did not conflict at all but instead complemented.

Ultimately I decided that we would not be a good long term match due to the conflicts and other issues and broke it off. We are still friends and she is a good person. I guess you can expect to learn a lot if you are dating outside your religion but it is likely that you will find areas that you either can not or don't want to compromise in. It can still be a learning experience, not just about what the beliefs of others are but of how you feel about your own.

 

[Greg J.]

The problem is not necessarily with incompatibility early in a relationship. But when one is married, and the couple has to make decisions that will affect them for the rest of their lives, which they can't avoid because they are married—then what each believes can come to the fore. One must make compromises to keep the peace (or enter a world of pain and fracture your marriage). Not to mention that as one goes deeper with Jesus, it is more likely that one will perceive his will more clearly. Then one may be faced with a decision between God and spouse—the only realistic decision being God.

Marrying a non-Christian is a time bomb waiting to happen; this even applies to two Christians with notable differences in what they believe. It may not result in an explosion, but instead result in holding a Christian back from bringing more of Jesus into their lives, hindering them from doing the things for which God wants to reward them.

This does not even address the additional problem of the spouse's family's beliefs, which can harm the spouse's transition to be one with their spouse.

 

[Bass4Jesus]

Isn't the goal of dating to find out whether a person is suitable to be married to? If so, then what's the point of dating a non-Christian? Non-believers are described as darkness and unrighteousness in 2 Cor 6:14. And there's at least one reference to "strange women" in the Bible. I know they sure didn't do Solomon much good.

 

[timewerx]

The pluses about this is that they don't force their beliefs on you

This is about the best deal you can get these days. If I were to marry, I'd be looking for such women as well.

Chances are, your beliefs will change as you get older, learn more about the truth, and learn about life. If you went with someone who's stuck with their beliefs that means trouble.

I knew a Christian family with kids where the husband came to his senses about religion, quit being denominational, and they got divorced because wife is stuck with her beliefs.

 

[ThisIsMe123]

This is about the best deal you can get these days. If I were to marry, I'd be looking for such women as well.

Chances are, your beliefs will change as you get older, learn more about the truth, and learn about life. If you went with someone who's stuck with their beliefs that means trouble.

I knew a Christian family with kids where the husband came to his senses about religion, quit being denominational, and they got divorced because wife is stuck with her beliefs.

And some people have stayed together regardless of such a change because divorce is not an option for some couples. Some are willing to work it out or it doesn't impact the situation at all.

When you said "quite being denominational", did he become an atheist or just stopped adhering to a speicfic religion.

 

[timewerx]

And some people have stayed together regardless of such a change because divorce is not an option for some couples. Some are willing to work it out or it doesn't impact the situation at all.

When you said "quite being denominational", did he become an atheist or just stopped adhering to a speicfic religion.

You still have better odds if your partner is not stone cold set in their beliefs.

The guy I knew only became non-denominational but still believe and followed Christ's teachings. It doesn't have to be that big change to annoy a partner. I have close relatives who are quite furious at my beliefs (bordering hatred of me because of my beliefs) that is only slightly different from what they believe.

Someone who is spiritual, believes the teachings of Christ, has open mind about theology, and doesn't impose their beliefs on others is the best deal for me.

If there is none like that, someone who is spiritual at least and doesn't impose their beliefs. Atheists, possibly, except for the ones who act like jerks and doesn't care about anything else but themselves.

 

[ThisIsMe123]

You still have better odds if your partner is not stone cold set in their beliefs.

The guy I knew only became non-denominational but still believe and followed Christ's teachings. It doesn't have to be that big change to annoy a partner. I have close relatives who are quite furious at my beliefs (bordering hatred of me because of my beliefs) that is only slightly different from what they believe.

Someone who is spiritual, believes the teachings of Christ, has open mind about theology, and doesn't impose their beliefs on others is the best deal for me.

If there is none like that, someone who is spiritual at least and doesn't impose their beliefs. Atheists, possibly, except for the ones who act like jerks and doesn't care about anything else but themselves.

Yes, I have Christian friends that have been avoiding the overly judgemental types. Esp. in dating. I know a church organist that says as long as they believe in God...that's all that matters to them. I had some say "If they believe in some higher power"

But you see, I think when it comes to mate seeking, proprieties are a bit different after such a horrid experience. It just makes sense. I mean, I know of cheating pastors cheating on wives. After a woman has that experience, they tend to focus on more of the character of the prospect, and the belief in that partner becomes 2ndary.

 

[timewerx]

But you see, I think when it comes to mate seeking, proprieties are a bit different after such a horrid experience. It just makes sense.

Same here, and same thing with organized religion. Many such women are possibly former Christians who got fed up with the church hierarchy, "quiet down", "submit", and "pacify a man with burning desires" thing.

The Bible actually gives contrary examples on that matter.

Anyway, you may date those women.

 

[ThisIsMe123]

Same here, and same thing with organized religion. Many such women are possibly former Christians who got fed up with the church hierarchy, "quiet down", "submit", and "pacify a man with burning desires" thing.

The Bible actually gives contrary examples on that matter.

Anyway, you may date those women.

Sorry, I mean to say "priorities" not "properties"

 

[timewerx]

Sorry, I mean to say "priorities" not "properties"

No worries, I did read it as "priorities" the first time