Why would you, or why wouldn't you, date a believer?
I could and would date a believer if they were not strongly religious, were otherwise compatible with me, and were open-minded enough to accept me as a non-believer. Unfortunately, in my experience, very few believers in my area are open-minded and accepting of non-believers, which is not surprising. Because few of them have ever actually known a non-believer as a friend or something closer than that and also because as members of the dominant, mainstream culture, they can easily find and choose among many other fellow believers to date, thus, they have little to no motivation to be more flexible or open-minded about dating non-believers. As I often say about the dating game, most people are only as open-minded as the dating market forces them to be. Otherwise, as long as they don't feel it would doom them to being alone forever, most people are very close-minded about who they will date and will mostly choose others who are an opposite gender version of themselves as far as background, interests, culture, and lifestyle.
It depends on how much of a believer they are. If they're just a casual believer then it shouldn't be a problem. If they're really steeped in their belief then we probably wouldn't even be in a situation to date anyway.
I am in a relationship with one. As long as he doesn't push it on me, or use it to make decisions that affect both of us, it really doesn't matter.
Makes two of us. She backs away from me when she hears thunder. She figures God is getting ready to throw thunderbolts and His aim might be a little off.
I couldn't date anyone who believed in Santa Claus, fairies, pixies, hobbits, lepracauns, dragons, or any other imaginary things.
Also, in my experience, even if someone isn't pushing their religion on me, they still say things like "I'll pray for you" or "it will happen if it's God's will" or "it's a miracle from God."
I'd always be challenging them on their beliefs and the relationship would be contentious.
And for anyone who says they would be okay with dating someone religious, depending on how dogmatic that partner is, it would mean you're with someone who is pro life, anti gay everything and might also make excuses for slavery.
And yes, their beliefs would matter.
Absolutely not. The misogyny that comes along with it is a killer.
Yes, of course I would...Some atheists can be uptight assholes. I’m not trying to control anyone’s belief system. If it makes them a better more lovable person, I don’t care what they believe.
I would never, ever let a religious person enjoy this body ever. Never. Ever.
I don't have a complete ban on dating a religious person. OTOH, if someone's profile on a dating site says things like, "god comes first in my life", or "my church and god are important to me", I quickly move on.
I could not date a believer. I could never take their opinion seriously enough to even become good friends.
Me: Do you have a moment? I need help thinking through a decision I need to make.
Them: You are a good person. The universe/god will make sure you choose correctly.
Me: ... Yeah... I'm just gonna call someone else.
I only date intelligent people who believe in science and facts, not fairy tales.
What is really matter to me is the love and chemistry.
If they let you get that far!
Been there, done that. No, no, no, won't date, but will sleep with a theist.
I've tried the "religious or not" heuristic for dating. The girl's brother pointed a rifle at me for declining to get engaged with her anyway, because I didn't consider that the host culture was a bunch of morons. -D.Z.
It seems silly to preclude someone based on that alone given the scarcity of mates as is.
I would as long as they don't try to convert me. I'll even discuss religion or the existance of God. Of course, it takes a special person to be open enough to have a respectful conversation contrary to your beliefs.
As long as they respected my beliefs. Once had a relationship with someone who had studied to be a priest. Insisted we join a Unitarian Universalist Church. We did for a year - too many problems.
I dated a few when I was in college. Nice guys but I knew I wouldn’t marry someone with such a different spiritual framework. I could go for someone who believes in a sort of amorphous god — like the universe’s energy — but I can’t connect with someone who believes in a God who can intercede in human lives.
I would absolutely date a believer. I consider myself lucky to have been able to release myself from the shackles of religion. I realize that not everyone has been so lucky. As long as they were a lover of science, a good and decent human being, and respectful of my position I can't imagine having a problem with it. And yes, many who believe in science and seek the truth believe in god. The human mind is complex.
A lover of science and a believer can't exist together. They don't share the same mode of thinking.
@Healthydoc70 That's just not true. I know many good scientists who have a belief in god. I am a trained scientist and I used to believe in god. Like I said, the human brain is complex.
Well, I don't see any reason why not. Both have to know where the other stands and the respect must be mutual.
It is a question of what am I dating for? If I am only looking for a nymphomaniac and she thinks me the best lover in the universe - it is doable. If I'm looking for synergy then it is most unlikely.
Nope I like to interact with people who live in reality.