Some people believe (there's a book about it) that we are supposed to wait for "the One" that God chooses for us.  We are supposed to wait to start a relationship until we know that we have met the one that God chose for us, and then we are supposed to begin the relationship with the intention of marriage.  So we are not supposed to date anyone until we know they are the one.  I just don't get it; I've dated a few people, and I do not regret any of my relationships; I learned a lot from all of them.  Also, at the time, I felt that each of them might be the one.  Furthermore, I don't want to even consider marriage until I can see that we get along in a variety of situations and get to know them-hence, dating.  I think it's great if people marry their first love.  I'm REALLY happy I didn't, though, wow I had bad taste back then :).  Does anyone believe there is actually a right and wrong way to date, or do you think it is personal opinion?
125110
Dating people isn't the problem.  Sex with them is.  I was 34 and married twice when I looked up one day, saw a man I had never met across a parking lot and knew in that instance that God was real and I was in big trouble.  So, my answer is yes.  There is one perfect person for you.  Hopefully he hasn't robbed a bank or anything, because you might not find him if he's sitting in prison and you might not want him if you do find him.  But if you find him and your are with the wrong person, life gets really difficult.
70176
I haven't waited, but if I met a guy, and he wanted to wait until we got married, I wouldn't have a problem with that.  Sometimes I wish I had waited, virginity can be seen as a special gift to the right guy.
156172
You would think you should start meeting people and getting ready.  Have faith, and don't be afraid to fall in love.  God's waiting for you both at the bottom.  You're joining together as one, working as one, creating as one a life, and a future that chances are, might hold a family.  It's perfectly okay to be married, as it is perfectly okay to be single.  God's timing is perfect, and His will is also.
262131
Sex before marriage is not a good idea. I would rather have waited till I got married however, I was young and foolish and wanted experience. Well, after you're experienced what is there to experience more? You keep on having sex, right and so if I were to change this I would have waited for the right time. But this is just my opinion. Different people have different opinions.
215842
You cannot define that in terms of time, there is a minimum amount of time that you should wait before considering it a relationship, 3 dates and by that I mean at least a 4 hour period of time with each other each date, but just because you do the minimum, does not make it a relationship, it just means you took the chance to develop the foundation for one.  Some couples know each other for years before developing a relationship, to confine it to time is a mistake.  I advise against making the mistake of believing in love at first sight.  I term that lust at first sight, ya it can work, but most of the time and I am talking about 98% type most of the time, it does not.  Make each other jump through the hoops that you normally would, no matter how much the first attraction is and define the time that the relationship starts after the 3 dates and when there is a mutual attraction.\n\nJohn B.
300212
Everyone f*cks before marriage.  TRUE THAT!\n\nBut don't worry about the second biggest lie that we tell ourselves.\n\nWhy not?\n\nBecause there is no god.  Therefore there is no sin.\n\nSee-- the existence of a god is the first biggest lie we tell ourselves.\n\nGo get down and dirty!
484091
Like I tell everybody, I think that you should call whenever you get the feeling.  I hate how people make dating into a game.  There is no certain amount of time that you should wait.  Just because you waited a week doesn't mean that's the reason it didn't work out.  If the moment is right between two people and if they are feeling the vibe of each other, then it doesn't matter.
272622
We waited till marriage\n\nWe havee now been married for nearly 14 years and are very happy together.\n\nI think being able to wait did encourage us to put our relationship into areas that we could build our friendship on - and that i find to be the most important part of marriage is being able to like and respect one another and being able to relate to one another.\n\nSex - great - but if that is all the relationship is based on then it wont last very long.  Also if you hav waited and the first night isn't the best then you still have commitment from each other to work on it rather than on relying on it to pull you through.\n\nResisting temptations - if that is really difficult then don't have a long engagement - bring the date forward if need be.  The marriage is more important than having a 'big' day after all.  But meanwhile - resisting temptations - try not to take long periods of time alone indoors (chaperones?) - that is when temptation can strike most often.  also avoid heavy petting - and bear in mind if you haven't got one then PAWZOFF until you are married (and NO i am NOT referring to not touching his car or her microwave!)\n\nI hope that some of the above helps\n\nand God bless your upcoming marriage\n\nwhen is the happy date?
466769
I think we don't have a true understanding of exactly what lust is.  God created each of us as sexual beings.  We are physically attracted to the opposite sex.  If we were not, I don't think we would be able to follow His command to "be fruitful and multiply",  Being sexually attracted to the opposite sex is NOT lust, though.  This God given sexual attraction BECOMES lust when we develop within our hearts a desire to engage in inappropriate sexual contact.  \n\nIf each person would view the opposite sex with respect and honor and have within our hearts the desire to do what is best for ourselves and the other person then we would be able to treat each other in a holy and wholesome manner.  So it is entirely possible to date and search for a mate and at the same time not lust after that individual but treat them in a holy and set apart manner.
605711
Did it ever occur  to you that people don't do everything to gain something for themselves but only out of love?\nPeople who are interested in helping you believe in God only want to share what they have found with you. \nYou are still free to reject it and they should respect your choice.
586527
why is it when we buy a car we test drive it first? why is it when we buy fruit that we eat, we pick it up and sqeeze it to make sure it is good? we do this to make sure it is good right? so why cant we test drvie our relationships and sqeeze our future spouses? i think it should be ok t obe with this person fully before you get marreid, what if you marry a pervert, that wants sex all the time, or what if he like to watch porn all the time.or what if you married a guy who deosnt sleep at night and loves to be on the computer all the time,make sure you married what you want and not what you have to deal with. thats what i did.
138352
Actually, christian dating, or courtship is biblical, if not somewhat overlooked by today's general population because of it's cry for purity and virginity. Someone mentioned polygamy and adultery in the old testament. Duh. People were human then too, but that didn't make their actions correct, nor can we base our personal lives and ok our actions on the sins of others.\n The story of Isaac and Rebecca in the old Testament is a great example. The wife was chosen in good taste by the parents for Isaac. Both Isaac and Rebecca had a voice as to whether or not they liked the other one. In the end, they were married, and they were pure!!!!!!! Yes, I belive in biblical courtship. Their is a good book, (Let the Bible be your first authority), on courting vs. dating. It is called "I KIssed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris. No, I don't believe everything he believes, but he does have many good standards. \nI believe that you don't have to wear a veil over your face to be pure, nor, must you be amish. Purity starts in the mind and in the heart. \nSo, in conclusion, yes, I believe in dating biblically.
258885
Sometimes when people are in relationships, they forget that they're supposed to maintain the relationship, like dating, talking and hanging out. Strange since those are the things which got us into the relationship to start with.\n\nMany years ago, a friend and I decided to date, knowing the difficulties we had had with previous relationships, we decided to create a relationship contract so that we would know what was expected, and know the penalties if we didn't live up to those expectations. It was one of the most enjoyable relationships I've ever had. She's still one of my closest friends.\n\nHere's a link to a copy of the contract\n\nhttp://jdoggiedogg.livejournal.com/4093.html
340895
In the bible it says that sex before marriage is wrong if there is no commitment between two people. "Marriage" as referred to in the bible is symbolic for a relationship/connection/love/commitment.\n\nThus you don't need to be married (literally) to have sex but you need to be committed.\n\nI feel that it is all about morals and there is no right or wrong. it's your own decision. Personally I believe that sex before commitment/love is wrong
385959
I think people are just desperate to have a relationship and they would rather settle for less than not have one at all. I've never had a boyfriend (I'm almost 16). That's because I didn't like the guys that have asked me out. They weren't what I was looking for so I said no. Some people have told me that I should just go out with someone to save the embarrassment of saying I'd never went out with anyone but I say that I'm  proud that I didn't settle for less and I'm fine with the fact I've never had a relationship,  I don't put romantic relationships as my top priority or as my base of happiness and I don't think anyone else should either.
451527
nope , we are NOT supposed to wait forever.\n\nWe ARE supposed to see if its real though , before moving on to somebody else, or else we regret it, wonder about it, kick ourselves for what might have been, etc.\n\nAsk somebody out if you like him or her, I figure 3 times, then wait and see if maybe they ask you out. I don't like to nag people.
21200
Don't be in a hurry to find love ,let love find you.God made someone for each of us,and we will meet them when the time is right. I promise you, you will find love,don't get discouraged! The answer to your question is yes.