Category: Advice for Brothers & Sisters in Christ

Americans adults are more likely to be single than at any point in our country’s history. In 1960 72% of American adults were married. Today 63% of American adults have never been married. Just over half of 18-34 year-olds have no steady partner at all.

Is it that people just don’t want to be bothered with dating anymore? I don’t think so online dating has surged with apps like Tinder, Bumble, and others occupying more and more people’s phones. Numerous studies have shown that married people are happier, healthier, and wealthier than their single counterparts.

• ­­Married couples rated their life satisfaction 9.9% higher than widows and widowers. • Married couples were 8.8% happier than higher than divorced or separated people. • Singles, however, only reported being 0.2% happier than those who are divorced. What Matters Most to Personal Well-Being UK Office of Natl Statistics

So what’s the problem? Part of it is that we are victims of our own success. Back in the days when you needed a partner to survive marriage rates were obviously higher. Nowadays we can earn enough money to make it on our own. That’s also what’s contributed to the surge in the divorce rates in the ’70s and ’80s.

But most of us already knew that. I’d also like to propose that dating apps/sites like Tinder have contributed to the singleness epidemic.

Is Tinder Good for Christians?

Many Christians want to know if they should use apps like Tinder and Bumble when seeking a partner. After all, ‘everybody’s doing it’.  I won’t bore you with hypothetical scenarios about jumping off a bridge but suffice it to say that popularity isn’t the criterion of which we, as Christians, should evaluate something.

When evaluating a dating app we should ask ourselves whether or not it will help us in achieving our goals. As Christians, the goal of dating should be marriage. Dating for too long can lead to a host of problems such as sexual sins and acting like you’re married when you’re actually not. However, I want to go beyond that. There are other good reasons why Christians, or anyone who’s serious about dating, might want to avoid ‘dating’ apps like Tinder.

They Create Paradox of Choice

Ever been rejected by someone who you thought was in your league? Remember, that great feeling you got when you saw that they were still single and looking 6 months later? Come on, be honest I know I do. Apps like Tinder that encourage you to ‘swipe left’ teach you to devalue people. ‘Up she had a mole’ or ‘oh his smile is weird’.

The average person looks at a photo on Tinder approximately 2 seconds.  Do you really think two seconds are enough to evaluate a fellow human being? Tinder creates the illusion that there are so many options that we can be super picky. This creates a paradox of choice; meaning that people don’t want to make a choice because they’re afraid they’ll miss out on something better.

Tinder is Addictive

Using Tinder is surprisingly similar to playing the slots. With one pull you could get that $10,000 jackpot. But since you don’t know when the lucky pull is coming just keep pulling and pulling (and paying). Tinder is essentially the same. You may log on and meet that hot guy or girl that wants to a serious relationship with you, but more often you’ll get disappointment and even mistreatment from other users. Since you don’t know when you will hit that jackpot you keep logging on again and again which causes you to get frustrated.

Once frustrated its easy to take it out on other users since the environment is still relatively anonymous. So what you end up with is a situation where you’re addicted to an app that causes you pain and frustration. This is no accident. Free dating apps make their money users clicking on the ads inside the app.  The longer you spend in an app the more likely you are to click on an ad or upgrade your membership. That means they’re designed to keep you on the app and swiping as much as possible.

It Can Cause You to Base Your Self Worth on Sex

We all know that many people use Tinder to hookup. By its very nature, the app is superficial. People put the best picture of themselves that they can in hopes someone they like will swipe right. Your entire worth on the app is based on how good your photo looks.

When you meet someone in real life they can get a much better picture of you. They can see your mannerisms and strike up a conversation. People are usually less rude in real life than they are online. They’ll give someone a chance in real life who they otherwise would’ve swiped left on Tinder.

Tinder Teaches Selfishness

When you go on Tinder you’re presented with this buffet of men or women in front of you which gives the illusion of a lot of choices. That’s why when many of us go on the app we just think about what we want and what will make us happy at the moment.

But real relationships don’t work that way. Real relationships are an amalgamation of what both parties want and they compromise to make it work. But on apps like Tinder if a guy or girl doesn’t check all of our boxes we can easily just move on to the next one. It gives a false impression that there’s always something better right around the corner and makes us less likely to stick it out when times get tough with our partners.

It should be no surprise that most Tinder users have only been on one date from the app and that less than 25% are looking for a long term relationship.  The bottom line is most people on Tinder aren’t serious.

If Not Tinder Then What?

I hope I didn’t dash all of your hopes of finding that special someone. There’s a lot more than Tinder out there. The best way to meet someone is to meet them in person. As I said before you just a better idea of who a person is in real life as opposed to the best selfie they can take. If not real life there are a plethora of Christian dating sites out there.

Christian Mingle and eHarmony come to mind but there are others. OkCupid is a favorite of many people because its free. I have an entire list of good Christian dating sites for men and for women you can look at. Just remember the most important thing in finding a partner is someone who shares your faith and a person who you can respect.

I still remember it like it was yesterday. There was this girl I had been dating for 4 months and I was crazy about her. Her faith seemed strong, she was kind-hearted, and she cooked great food! I wanted to ask her to marry me but part of me knew it was too soon. However, I found articles and youtube videos that told me what I wanted to hear that there was no time limit to marry someone. I bought a ring and asked her to marry me and she accepted, reluctantly. Still, I was the happiest guy in the world that day! Then the next day I discovered she was still flirting with her ex. She even entitled the conversation “My Lover”. It was the first time in my life I could literally feel my heart fall to the floor.

How Long Should a Christian Date Before Marriage?

Typically a Christian should date 1-2 years prior to getting married. The data show that this is the sweet spot to ensure the longevity of a marriage. Getting married before a year indicates a certain level of impulsivity and those who are impulsive are less likely to think things through. Dating too long can also be problematic because most people know after one year if the person they are dating is the right one. Usually after two years if a couple won’t get married it’s because there are some serious compunctions but the couple often bows to social pressures to tie the knot.

The Bible doesn’t actually talk about dating which is why the question of ‘how long should a Christian date before marriage?’ is something that is hotly debated. Some people say 1-year, others say 2 years, while some even say 4-6 months.  So what’s the right answer?

The Data on Marriage Longevity

Couples were more likely to stay together if:

1. The man said his partner’s looks weren’t that important
2. The woman said her partner’s wealth wasn’t important
3. They went to church together (46% less likely)
4. They didn’t spend a lot of money on the wedding

A Penn State University study concluded that couples that dated an average of 25 months were the happiest 14 years later. Another study at Emory University concluded that couples that attended religious services together on a regular basis were the 46% less likely to get divorced.

The same study concluded the cheaper the wedding the better the marriage as couples that had a wedding that cost less than US$1000 were far more likely to stay together than those with uber expensive weddings. Not surprisingly superficial marriages don’t last either. Couples, where the woman said the husband’s wealth was important, were a whopping 60% more likely to end in divorce. Marriages, where the man said to woman’s looks were important had a 50% likelihood of failure.

What Makes a Marriage Last?

Marriages tended to last longer if:

When your spouse is your best friend that means that you can talk to them about nearly anything without a filter. You guys get each other and can communicate on a level deeper than just verbally.  When you have that level of a bond that means you know how to resolve a conflict in a way that’s acceptable to both parties. A study from the University of Vancouver confirms this.

Couples that pray together, stay together. That old adage had some truth to it. Couples that attend religious services together on a regular basis had high longevity together versus those that did not. This makes sense because one of the most important factors for the longevity of any relationship, not just romantic, is if the parties shared the same values. Attending religious services together is an indication that you both share the same core values.

Praying also reduces cheating. A study entitled “Faith and Unfaithfulness: Can Praying for Your Partner Reduce Infidelity?” discovered that praying for a partner actually reduced the likelihood of infidelity.[x]  In fact, praying for one’s partner was a stronger indicator of lower rates of infidelity than initial satisfaction with the relationship as a whole.

A couple that enjoys each other in the bedroom is more likely to be happy. Sexual conflict can lead to infidelity which is one of the leading causes of divorce. It’s really important that both of you guys are sexually satisfied with each other. Furthermore, if one partner is not that she feels free enough to express her dissatisfaction in a loving helpful way.

The Dangers of Dating Too Long

The Bible doesn’t talk about dating and there’s a reason for that. God wants us to be single or be married. Dating is meant to be a temporary transition between those two realities, not something permanent. Couples that date for years and years are not as happy as married couples and couples that date more than 4 years before marriage are far more likely to split.

If you think about it this makes sense. After a year or so most people know whether or not they want to marry the person they’re with or not. After a certain amount of time, the relationship more so becomes a relationship of convenience more than anything. The couple just stays together because its easier than starting all over again.

As Christians, we should remember that our goal in dating is marriage. That’s in stark contrast to the worldly view of dating. If we intend to maintain God’s commandments then dating too long is a big danger to committing sin. You even see some long term daters acting as though they are married when they are not. In those cases from what I’ve seen it is usually the guy who won’t put a ring on it.

Beware of dating too long.

Watch my video on signs God wants you to marry the person you’re dating

Further Reading:

How to Find a Christian Wife

How to Find a Christian Husband

Signs She is Marriage Material

I have made my fair share of dating profiles. Both for myself, and for friends. I’ve seen hundreds of dating profiles in my day and there are very common mistakes I see people making. Most of the time they do it because they think it’s no big deal but in reality, they’re shooting themselves in the foot and then turn around and blame the dating site.

Bad Pictures

Guys please understand that the picture is by far the most important part of your dating profile. No matter how good everything else in the profile is if the picture sucks then the whole profile is garbage. Here are the most common mistakes I see with pictures.

• Bad pictures
  • Poor lighting.
  • Unflattering angles.
  • Composition is too bland or eccentric.
  • Too revealing or not revealing enough.
  • Too many people, or too few.
  • Poor selection of attire.

Esoteric Self Information

I’ll never understand why some people feel the need to be so bitter on their dating profiles. They write things that indicate that they hate the world and everyone in it but yet can’t figure out why they’re still single. Really?! No one likes a negative Nancy or a bitter Bob.

Life sucks sometimes get over it or at least don’t put in your dating profile that your life sucks.

Unrealistically High Standards

Unless you have a million dollars and a six pack or a million bucks and a dd cup the words ‘need not apply’ should never ever appear in your dating profile. I know it’s hard to accept but sometimes it can’t always be about looks. That being said if you are willing to broaden your horizons you can consider looking abroad to date someone younger. Christian Filipina is the best site for mature men interested in dating Asian women for eastern European women try InterKontct. while Black Dating is a good source for mature women looking for Black men in the Caribbean. Look for your Latin Lover here.

Self Deprecating Low Standards

Having too low of standards and being a wet noodle is equally problematic. This is especially a problem for women and men who look abroad to date. They’ve been socialized to believe that they’re not worth very much and therefore allow people to take advantage of them just to claim being coupled.

If you do choose to look abroad to date understand that you have something they want–US citizenship and you don’t need to tolerate a partner that looks down on you or acts like she’s doing you a favor by being with you.

Being ‘Too Christian’

I know this sounds counter-intuitive but seriously some of the worst people I’ve ever met were people who wore their religion on their sleeve. Christianity is not a contest and there is no ‘winner’ of Christianity in the sense that the more you advertise your religion the move favor you will gain from God.

Jesus himself tells us this in Matthew 7:16 “know them by their fruits”. People will see you have Christ in your heart through your deeds not by wearing religion on your sleeve or the cross on your neck. You don’t need to saturate your dating profile with Bible verses and boast about your church committee assignments in order to have a good Christian dating profile.

But after writing those out, I realized that there is a more abstract way of viewing all mistakes.

Not Correctly Targeted

Facebook is one of the world’s most successful companies. Last year, the company boasted a 15.9 billion in profit. While NBC Universal had a net income of just 2.56 billion. What is it that facebook does that makes the company so much money? The answer: targeted marketing.

The company is genius at knowing what people are interested in and targeting specific ads to those interests. That’s why I’ll never see an ad for feminine hygiene products or flower delivery on my feed. Because of that advertisers love using their platform for their ads since they’re not wasting money on people who will never buy their products.

People are not thoughtful enough about the kind of person they are hoping to target with their profile.

So many times, I would catch myself and my friends fiddling with the thought, “will people like this?”

Who are people?

No, but seriously. Who are these people? Do you want your profile to appeal to the widest possible audience? Do you truly believe that any “catch” is a good one? Because if you do, please correct that immediately. Each of us have features that play better with some people, not everyone. Some girls are never going to be into a nerdy guy while some guys will never be into super atheletic girls.

Related: How to Find a Christian Wife

Lack of Self Awareness

Really, the people who are the best at creating online dating profiles are those who have the highest internal and external self-awareness.

This is because, not only are they capable of marketing themselves well externally. They are also able to capture a certain genuineness of themselves, that leads to far higher match quality.

So if you really want to improve your online dating profile, show your friends. I dare you. If you feel embarrassed at the thought of it, you probably have some editing to do.

An Example of a Good Dating profile

Tired of dating profiles? Try Its Just Lunch Instead.

A lot of brothers & sisters get into this mindset that because they’re broke that they don’t need a prenup prior to getting hitched. This article explains why nothing could be further from the truth. You need a prenup even if you’re broke.

Why get a prenup?

To not have to pay his loans

You’re in love. You’ll never get divorced and even if you do you ain’t got nothing so what’s the big deal? I’m sure that’s what you’re thinking. Well, prenups are not just for rich people. I’m sure you know that any property acquired during the marriage is considered 50/50 community property. Did you also know that debt–including student loans– is also considered community property in many states?   That means if you guys decide to split without a prenup you could be stuck paying for half his bills including her shopping sprees, cell phone bills, and maybe even student loans.

A prenup eliminates the opportunity for a peaceful divorce to turn into a bloodbath,” says Matthew Zubricki, a 28-year-old CPA based in Chicago, who is currently drawing up a prenup with his fiancé. “It seems insane that anyone would sign into a partnership where one partner could hypothetically leave at any time with the incentive of claiming half of the partnership’s joint assets. A prenup can prevent you from being in this situation.

source

To stop him or her from trashing you on facebook

You can put social media clauses that could prevent her from trashing you on social media outlets like facebook or twitter. These typically state that you and your ex can’t share embarrassing photos or make disparaging remarks about each other on social media. Violating this clause could lead to a fine — it’s been reported it could cost someone $50,000 for a violation. This is especially useful if you have a brand or business interests to protect.

To stop them from misusing your money

A prenup can have a clause that the partner receiving alimony or spousal spouse can’t use that money for alcohol or at the casino. More importantly, you can stop him from using the money to say start a business that directly or indirectly competes with yours.

This is, of course, all in addition to making sure you don’t get stuck with expensive alimony (spousal support) payments, Without a prenup she could potentially divorce you and you still get stuck paying her every month.

Don’t get too crazy

One thing to keep in mind is that sometimes having too many frivolous lifestyle clauses can be cause for a judge to invalidate a prenuptial agreement. Remember, the prenup has to be at least somewhat fair in order to be enforced.

The prenup can’t be so one-sided as to be considered ‘unconscionable’.  Donald Trump learned this the hard way when his prenup with wife #1, Ivana, was partially thrown out because the courts determined it was too one-sided.

California, in particular, has some particularly tough requirements to make sure a prenup is fair:

• Both parties must have complete information about the finances and property of the other partner
• Each partner must wait a minimum of 7 days after receiving the prenup before signing it. Do you remember how Barry Bonds’ prenup was thrown out because the wife said she didn’t have enough time to think it through?
• Each partner must receive full disclosure of the terms, rights, and conditions of the prenup
• Each partner must either have independent legal counsel or waive the right to independent counsel before signing the agreement

Source

Isn’t a prenup a plan to fail?

Many folks don’t want a prenup because they said its like putting a bad omen on the marriage. If that’s the case does getting a car insurance agreement mean you’re putting a bad omen on your car? Does getting a health insurance agreement mean you’re putting a bad omen on your body? No of course not!  These agreements are simply meant to protect the things you care about the most in case something less than positive happens.

What if I can’t afford a prenup?

The days when you needed some $500 an hour lawyer to get a prenup are long gone. Nowadays, there are much cheaper options to get a prenup.  Chances are good if you’re broke you don’t need a complex custom prenup.  You can get Pre-Made Prenup Forms for under $40. If you don’t have $40 you shouldn’t be getting married in the first place. Therefore there’s simply no excuse not to get a prenup even if you’re broke!

What if I’m already married?

Not to worry you can get a postnuptial agreement as well.  Findlegalforms.com also has a pre-made post-nuptial agreement form. The reason I like them is because all their forms are made by licensed attorneies and are very affordable. These are good if there are significant financial post nuptial changes like an inheritance or an adoption that occur. Please keep in mind though not all states allow post-nuptial agreements.  Just like prenups post-nuptial agreements have to follow similar guidelines:

1. They must be in writing (oral promises of this kind are always unenforceable);
2. They must be executed voluntarily;
3. They must be done with full and/or fair disclosure at the time of execution;
4. They must not be unconscionable; and
5. They must be executed (signed) by both parties.

Marriage is serious!

I hope with this article that not only have I convinced you to get a prenup but that marriage is serious and not to be taken lightly. Marriage is supposed to be a sacred bond between two people and God that you will do your best to be together for the rest of your lives. Please remember that prior to saying “I do”.

With that good luck and happy marriage!

Resources

1. Pre-Made Prenup Forms 

As Christians, we take pride in living to the highest standards we know-that is, living how Christ would want us to live. The hard thing is that we live in a world that seeks to go against the principles and values we hold so dear. This is especially true when it comes to dating and getting to know romantic partners that you’d like to interact with on a more personal basis.

Dating is not something to be taken lightly! While God wants us to have fun and take joy in the wonderful people He has put into our lives, we must remember that what seems like a fun date today could be the marriage you seek a few years from now.

And marriage is one of the most joyous and rewarding unions two people in love can enter. Creating a strong and stable foundation for marriage means that you should know how to date the right way, so you are ready to be the best husband or wife you can be.

Please gather around as we discuss eight Biblical dating principles that will lend you assurance, confidence and a good spiritual mindset as you seek that special individual who will share their life with you!

Make Sure You Are Right with God

God is the one you should make sure you are committed to first. He should be the relationship you seek to grow and foster before above all others. It may sound a little bit of an old-school concept, but this is the only way you can guarantee a joyful, fruitful and spiritually fulfilling marriage. Too many people end up in divorce or in a state of heartbreak because God was not first.

Make sure that you are baptized and do this before you seek a partner. This makes the Holy Spirit available for you and making decisions that could alter or change your life are best done when you have the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Be sure that the person you are interested in is also baptised. Think of it this way: if the one you would like to date is someone who has not pledged his or her life to God by way of baptism, how can you be certain that person will be committed to you?

2. Avoid Immoral Sexual Choices

In our society today, sex is everywhere. It is normal, natural and healthy to engage in sexual intercourse, but it certainly does not need to happen before marriage takes place.

Sexuality is important, but one does not need to have sex first to determine if they are compatible with another. This is a teaching that is better off not being acted upon- Christians should oppose such an idea.

It is normal and very understandable that someone you are dating makes you have sexual thoughts or urges. Temptation is very real, and we’ve all been there-it is a strong emotion for sure!

However, we must exercise caution so as to not commit fornication and engage in sex before marriage. As the Bible says, do what you can do avoid such a behavior. After all, the right person can and will wait for you!

Use your good judgment and act as God would want you to when faced with such thoughts. Pursue purity, and you will feel much happier!

3. Avoid Places Where Evil Can Grow

Do not go to places that are isolated, secluded, or otherwise dark. It is in places like this that temptation is liable to creep in when you least want it to, and things could happen that you will likely regret down the road. Go to places that are well-lit and free from darkness, or date with a friend or chaperone if you feel that you need some help keeping things pure.

4. Patience is a Virtue

I had a buddy once who was looking tirelessly for a mate. This guy had it all-great relationship with God and active in his church, new truck, and a good job as an office manager.

But he just kept on looking and looking, asking plenty of young ladies out on dates. He wasn’t getting a response. Finally, I had to tell him, “Bud, you are trying too hard!”

And wouldn’t you know it, one month after he stopped looking, he met up with a great woman after casually checking his eHarmony profile one day. They met for coffee, shared some laughs, and did it all again two days later. They’ve been going strong for a few months now!

My point is that we have to let time reveal what it wants for us. Don’t rush into relationships just because you are infatuated or feeling “puppy love”. Solomon says not to awaken love until it is ready!

We must be ready emotionally, financially, and physically for dating-and above all else-right with God before dates happen. Take your time, it’s not a race!

5. Women: With All Purity

Men, this is for us. Please treat women with respect and dignity. Every woman is a child of God. She is somebody’s mother, sister, friend or daughter. We must protect them at all costs-women are the beautiful creations of God who make us men balanced and whole and provide us with beautiful children we can raise in God’s image.

Related: How to Find a Christian Wife God’s Way

They are the rocks on which we can hold when things get rough. Therefore, do not engage in acts which defile women. You are taking something that does not belong to you. Respect her and her values-after all, every one of us desires a mate that is pure and waited just for us.

6. Do Not Date to Convert

It can be so exciting to lead someone new to the light of God and the teachings of Christ. After all, I can attest to how much clearer things became when I began living my life as God wanted me to. I naturally want to tell everybody how great it feels!

Related: How to Find a God Fearing Man

But not everybody wants to hear this. Some Christians say that dating non-believers is a good thing because they can lead them to church. This is a nice idea, but the Bible actually says otherwise. While we are to commanded to tell people about the good news it is, ultimately, God’s decision who will come to His light. It is Him that will draw people to the church. It is our duty to be a beacon and live as our Creator says we should.

Christians who have tried to convert their partner mostly find that the conversion was done for the sake of the relationship, and that their partner goes back to their old ways rather quickly.

7. Think Ahead: Date with Marriage on the Mind

Are you dating with marriage on the mind? Or, are you dating just for the sole purpose of having a good time, seeking somebody you can hug, hold, kiss or even go further with? If you’re dating to have fun-simply for the heck of it-then you are missing out on exclusively dating.

Having the wrong intention and motivation as to why you are dating are a recipe for disaster. Eventually, the curtain will come falling down and the true intentions are revealed. It’s as if you walked in to a job boasting a resume loaded with qualifications…but you really didn’t have the ability to do any of the things on your resume. Eventually, the jig would be up, and you’d move on to find a new job. Nobody wants to do that-or date forever before finding the right one!

Make it easy on yourself and date with a purpose. It is not likely that you’re gonna find the right one immediately. Dating gives you the chance to know more about somebody. The point is that you should date because you care about getting into a serious relationship that leads to marriage.

Cohabitation, casual sex and the like are not the way to happiness. Real satisfaction comes from taking on the challenge of marriage and the day to day problems you solve, coming out stronger as a couple.

In Closing

We will close with a verse from 1 John 4:18:

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

By making sure that you follow principles that align with your Christian principles, you need not fear a thing. You might be wondering where you can find like-minded Christians like yourself! I personally love eHarmony. I felt inspired by my friend’s success story and have decided to try it out for myself. So far, I have a few good matches lined up, and I can be very clear about my beliefs.

Keep your head up and remember to walk by faith, not by sight. God has a plan for you, so you simply need to be the best you can be in all you do, and He will make sure you find the right partner. Date with Christian principles in mind, and your experience will be fun and exciting. Good luck and enjoy meeting like-minded followers and worshipers!

Christian Dating Deals:

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You’ve finally met someone you’re compatible with. You’re on the same page insofar as goals and values but there’s one thing that’s been gnawing at you. They’re Catholic and you’re a Protestant. Is it okay for a Christian to marry a Catholic? Read more to find out.

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Catholics are Christians!

The criteria for being a Christian is whether or not you believe Jesus Christ is the son of God and that he died for our sins. Yup, that’s it. Since Catholics do believe that Jesus is the son of God and that he died for our sins that means they are believers.

Should we date Catholics?

Now onto the more important question of whether or not you should marry a Catholic. To answer this question we need to do a brief history lesson. The Protestant movement began as a protest against the practices of the Roman Catholic church. Hence the word protestant I’m sure we all learned about Martin Luther who nailed the famous Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the All Saints Church in Wittenburg Germany. This was a protest to the Catholic Church’s selling of indulgences to raise funds.

While Christians it’s important to understand there are some very real differences between Catholicism and Protestantism.

1. We don’t believe in saints as this is a form of idolatry. One of the core beliefs of Protestantism is that all men are created equal in the eyes of the Lord. While pastors are selected by God He does not hold any clergymen to a higher regard. The only distinction He makes between human beings is believers vs non-believers
2. We don’t believe that pastors should be celibate. In fact, I personally think it is better for a pastor to have a family that way he can show by example the proper way to rear a Godly family.
3. We have no Pope. Understand that the Pope is not just the Catholic equivalent to a CEO of a large organization. To many Catholics the Pope is infallible and almost a demigod to be worshiped
4. We believe that the Bible is the only valid word of God and we don’t need any other tradition or book. Catholics, on the other hand, are more similar to Muslims where they are more based on traditions and even have two different versions of the Bible.

Catholic and Christian Dating Success Tips

While technically not a problem under the Biblical scripture if you insist on dating a Catholic understand that as Christians we are dating to marry not just to date. Therefore if you do insist on dating a Catholic please follow these tips:

1. Make sure there is a clear and complete understanding that the children will be raised in the Christian church and follow Christian principles–specifically Protestant principles
2. Ask your partner how open they are to be baptized in a protestant church
3. Make sure he/she doesn’t expect you to indulge in any of their Catholic traditions such as Pope and Saint worship. Your partner should know that in your eyes Mary is a woman just as your mother is a woman. While Mary did indeed conceive of Jesus’ flesh it is God and God alone who is both the mother and the father of our savior Jesus Christ.

Dating is tough for Christians these days which is why I wouldn’t suggest to anyone to break up with someone with good values and morals because they happen to identify as Catholic. That being said your best bet is to avoid these hard discussions in the first place and date someone who’s faith is truly congruent to yours. There are many great Christian dating sites where you can find a match that shares your faith. I’ve created a comparison for your reading pleasure.

If you need more help to find a Godly partner then you should read my articles on what to look for and how to get a Godly life companion.

Related Articles:

How to Find a Christian Wife God’s Way

How to Tell if a Christian Guy Likes You

Why Waitng on God for a Spouse is a REALLY Bad Idea

Should a Christian Woman Pursue a Man?