I've had the same experience. When I had a chance, or summoned the courage to look back, I realized that I had been in denial. Took me a while to work through it. My experiences with the death of loved ones and loss of relationships has cemented my view that there is usually very little difference in their effect on us, both cause us to grieve. It's healthy to take the time to recover before moving on.

Different backgrounds/belief systems can be harmonious as long as they are based on similar moral ground.

I see trust being earned over time through shared experiences, each willing to give 100%. It may sound strange but I think we have to trust, love, and know ourselves (at least be really comfortable in our own skin), before we can truely love others and give that 100%.

• Kirk

Relationships must be based on trust and that takes time and shared experiences. Neither of which is possible until you meet someone. With that in mind, hello my name is Jim

After divorcing my wife of 30 years for infidelity I dated a lot women I met online. I really never got involved with anybody ,most likely as you state ,it's hard to bounce back, and I became too judgemental of the women I met. I actually find now that it's bettter to be friends with a woman than in a relationship, we go out somewhere, there's isn't any arguements , hurt feelings and power struggles.

I can totally understand. My last relationship ended because of infidelity too and I don't feel like I can trust anyone one again or even open myself like I opened myself up with my ex. I don't know what the answer is... also from my personal experience having different belief systems doesn't work but some people do make that work. I'm sorry I don't think I really answered your questions except to say that I understand ?

I would have to agree that certain kinds of philosophical differences would be very unlikely to be overcome. They might be sort of ignored for a time, but like a bad penny, they would keep appearing over and over again.
I know for myself I would have a very difficult time becoming involved with someone that was particularly religious or "spiritual" even. It would rapidly become a sore point and involve matters more significant than mere opinion.