Different religious beliefs

@zenki08 (700)
Philippines
September 8, 2012 8:46am CST
I met this girl just a few days ago and I have to admit I like her and I'm thinking of getting to know her better. There are just a few things for me to consider before I pursue her romantically. 1. She is married but separated for over a year. (We dont have divorce here in the Philippines) 2. We have different religious beliefs. Regarding her being married is not a big deal for me although it is something to think about. What bothers me the most is the religion thing. She seems very committed in her religion and that I think will be the factor that will determine if we do get together. I just don't know where to start. would it be possible to set aside religion in a relationship?
2 responses
@factorial (977)
• Philippines
8 Sep 12
May I know your religion? How about her religion may I?
• Canada
8 Sep 12
The thing about religion interfering with a relationship isn't so much the fact that the religious beliefs are different so much as the two people think that different religious beliefs are a big deal. If people are open minded and tolerant then why should it matter that two people have different religions. This view of religion is more of a political one than a personal belief one. Religion is personal and there is nothing wrong with your partner having different views for their personal religious beliefs. I'm not saying you are the one who need to be more tolerant, maybe you are and it is the other person who is insisting on forcing their religious views on you. If that is the case, then I would be more worried about the person's character than their religion, because that's the real problem. If it wasn't religion that they would influence you with and try to get you to follow, then they would do it with someone else. That kind of character is one that finds differences to be threatening. If both people don't have this kind of character, then it shouldn't matter that they have different religious views.
• Canada
8 Sep 12
I meant to put this as a main response to the question posted, not as a specific comment to what factorial said.
@zenki08 (700)
• Philippines
9 Sep 12
I'm roman catholic and she is Iglesia ni Cristo. I have to say that I am open minded and would not insists my beliefs on anyone. In fact my bestfriend is of different religion as well but we get along fine. I don't know what her stand regarding relationships with different religion because it is too early to jump into it and ask her to have one with me coz we just met. I agree with josga that character would be a factor in this.
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
21 Sep 12
It's a reality we are divided by different beliefs. But it doesn't mean we sacrifice ourselves if we meet a partner with different beliefs from us. You have a choices to pursue or not. It depends also to your perception. If you think it's impossible to mixed your faith with her so why you will continue.