Post by HypeHoper on Aug 2, 2007 1:17:41 GMT -5
New poll says couples should not be unequally yoked
ChristiaNet.com recently conducted a new poll by asking the question, "Should a Christian ever date a non-Christian?" The majority of participants believed that Christians should not be "unequally yoked" with non-Christians. Bill Cooper, President of ChristiaNet, said, "Dating is meant to lead to marriage, therefore, Christians shouldn't be dating non-believers."
Out of 459 respondents, 64% answered "No" to the poll question. Most that provided comments quoted from 2nd Corinthians in the Bible, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:" Understanding the importance God places on personal relationships many voters made comments like "They have nothing in common such as morals and values" or "Christians should never date someone they would not be willing to marry." Even though Christians are called to spread the Gospel, many realized trying to witness through dating is wrong. One concerned Believer said, "The influence of the world is strong, your beliefs will be compromised."
Twenty-four percent of the readers felt that Christians dating non-Christians is acceptable. Contrary to those who believed this form of dating was wrong, many think of dating as a viable way to witness, with responses like "This would be an ideal way to win someone over to the Lord" and "As long as the date consists of Church activities." Others in this group saw dating and marriage as two completely different acts. Whereas, dating a non-Believer was okay, but to marry a non-Believer would be wrong.
The remaining twelve percent selected "Unsure." Comments from this group discouraged the dating of non-Christians such as "We shouldn't be unequally yoked" or "It's not a good idea." Some saw dating as an opportunity for witnessing, while others felt this form of evangelism was not productive. As a reader stated, "Rarely do Christians convert non-Christians while dating." Most polled agree that marriage to a non-Christian violates God's Word. It seems reasonable that if dating can lead to marriage then the same rules should apply. As a forward thinking Believer stated, "This is a recipe for disaster, especially if the relationship advances to marriage."
eurweb.com
ChristiaNet.com recently conducted a new poll by asking the question, "Should a Christian ever date a non-Christian?" The majority of participants believed that Christians should not be "unequally yoked" with non-Christians. Bill Cooper, President of ChristiaNet, said, "Dating is meant to lead to marriage, therefore, Christians shouldn't be dating non-believers."
Out of 459 respondents, 64% answered "No" to the poll question. Most that provided comments quoted from 2nd Corinthians in the Bible, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:" Understanding the importance God places on personal relationships many voters made comments like "They have nothing in common such as morals and values" or "Christians should never date someone they would not be willing to marry." Even though Christians are called to spread the Gospel, many realized trying to witness through dating is wrong. One concerned Believer said, "The influence of the world is strong, your beliefs will be compromised."
Twenty-four percent of the readers felt that Christians dating non-Christians is acceptable. Contrary to those who believed this form of dating was wrong, many think of dating as a viable way to witness, with responses like "This would be an ideal way to win someone over to the Lord" and "As long as the date consists of Church activities." Others in this group saw dating and marriage as two completely different acts. Whereas, dating a non-Believer was okay, but to marry a non-Believer would be wrong.
The remaining twelve percent selected "Unsure." Comments from this group discouraged the dating of non-Christians such as "We shouldn't be unequally yoked" or "It's not a good idea." Some saw dating as an opportunity for witnessing, while others felt this form of evangelism was not productive. As a reader stated, "Rarely do Christians convert non-Christians while dating." Most polled agree that marriage to a non-Christian violates God's Word. It seems reasonable that if dating can lead to marriage then the same rules should apply. As a forward thinking Believer stated, "This is a recipe for disaster, especially if the relationship advances to marriage."
eurweb.com