Tips for dating a Christian?

[PloverWing]

Hey, folks, please don't attack the OP. She's trying to figure out how to get along with her partner's family. She didn't ask us to critique her religious beliefs, or her partner's religious beliefs. She asked us how best to get along with Christians.

 

[aiki]

Hey, folks, please don't attack the OP. She's trying to figure out how to get along with her partner's family. She didn't ask us to critique her religious beliefs, or her partner's religious beliefs. She asked us how best to get along with Christians.

Are you listening to the OP?

"I think all religions are a cult..."
"...kids are awful and a huge burden."
"And yes, I am selfish."
"...I come first."
"...marriage is a sham and degrades women..."

There is more the OP is communicating in her posts than uncertainty about how to meet her boyfriend's family.

 

[PloverWing]

Yes, I am listening to the OP. She doesn't think religion is a good thing to be involved in, she doesn't want to be a parent, and she doesn't want to participate in a traditional marriage. Her partner's family probably have different feelings on all these issues. Now. The question is, how can she best get along with her partner's family? Her partner's family are Christians, and we're Christians, so she came to us for advice on how to get along with Christians.

One possibility is to break up the relationship, to stop trying to be in a family relationship with Christians at all. Several people have suggested that, and it is one solution. But she doesn't want to break up with her partner. Given that, can we suggest any other ways to get along with Christians besides "don't even try"?

 

[Lory Valencia]

If he is honest with his family about how he doesn't practice the religion, it should go OK. If he's not honest with them, your relationship will not work. I dated a Jehovah's witness once who wasn't so serious about the religion, two years later we broke up because he wanted to practice it and begin preaching. Being brutally honest with you, if his family are strict Christians, chances are they will not like you. But that's just something you'll both have to live with if this will be long term. But honestly, relationships like these never really work. Someone always changes what they want even if they are honest from the start. Best wishes though, good luck to you.

 

[ThievingMagpie]

I don't know if this is still an issue for you but I thought I'd throw in my experiences for what they're worth. I'm an atheist married to a Christian woman - mother in law is a member of Anglican clurgy, middle sister in law is atheist and elder sister in law belongs to a US style evangelical church.

I know I have different and opposing views to the elder sister in law and her husband on things like gay marriage, I also know they believe I'm going to roast in hellfire when I die and for what it's worth I believe they're going to die and that'll be the end of it. But I've come to learn these things through getting to know them as people and at the same time I've also learned they're deeply loving, respectful, courteous, fun and want the best for their sister (my wife). I think if you approach them as an opposing force, that's what they'll turn out to be. If you approach them as people with different views but who have a shared affection for your partner, they might just do the same for you. And hey, if not - you were the bigger person.