But, what if you have consented to the act with someone before conversion (for want of a better word in this case) and you are still in a relationship with this individual.  How does one explain?
134308
Well there are two ways around this. \n\nFirst, you can take the high road and simply explain that you now realize that what you've been doing is wrong and you have no plans to continue doing it. If you've been intimate enough with this person to have sex, you ought to have an intimate enough relationship to be able to talk about this. If not ... well, that should tell you something.\n\nOr, you can take the easy road. Back in the day (Jesus' day), couples went into a tent, had sex, and that WAS marriage. If you plan to marry this person, then consider your previous actions a formal (if ancient) engagement. Start wearing the rings. Call it done except for man's law, and do the paperwork as soon as you can. \n\nGood luck!
34295
The actual act of ordaining someone, legally is the recording of them as ordained in your churches records since it would be illegal for any branch of government to tell you how to ordain someone.\n\nAs a side note being that you are in NYS if you want you Ordained Clergy to solemnize marriages in the state, i would advise you to look at the following statue and case law\n\nNYS Statue, Domestic Relations, Art 3-12\n\nRanieri v Ranieri \nRavenal v Ravenal \nRubino v City of New York
196549
If a couple want to wait untill they are married before having that sort of contact, it is their choice.\n\nReligion is about control (note I said religion and not faith), so religion's will attempt to interfere with society to gain power.\nSocieties tend to go through phases where they are more and then less permissive with regards to sex. Maybe we are becoming less permissive overall at the moment.\n\nUlimately I believe it should be the choice of the people what they do, not some kind of coercion or guilt trip from a religion.
34076
Unfortunately, if someone is predudiced, you can't change their opinions. Go with your heart, and if you truely love your man, don't let other peoples small mindedness get into the way. If they love you, they will eventually be there for you.
207075
Just ask how that person would feel if it was done to them.  Cheating is cheating no matter how you look at it.
337754
You are still learning about the relationship and how to act in it give it time\n\nGood Luck and God Bless!!
127499
Well just tell him, explain it the way you did here. Since you two are already intimate, no guarantee that he will wait around the three months. In the future wait longer before you become intimate with someone, instead of changing your mind after wards, and cutting them off. That is going to send some pretty mixed signals. Hope it works out for you, if he does stick around he's a keeper ;)
17389
There is absolutely nothing mysterious about it... a "deeper Christian life" actually means a deeper relationship with God. That can only be achieved by spending time with Him and communicating with Him (like any other human relationship). He's not going to force you into anything... you have to take the initiative in this area. The more time you spend with God, the easier it is to talk to Him. The more you talk to Him, the closer you get to Him. The closer you get to Him, the easier it is for you to hear His "voice" and know what it is that He wants for your life. Keep in mind that your relationship with Him is an ongoing experience. As with human relationships, you can't ever reach a "finishing point"... there are always going to be new experiences and you will always have to work at the relationship if you want it to last :)
355004
I would worry about that too. I'm was raised as very religious, but have found the light, so to speak and have become an agnostic. I'd keep my eyes open. A cheater is a cheater. P.S. Isn't adultery a sin?
187242
You have to have a moral understanding what you are about to know that you will be faithful anf that the person you have saved yourself for will be your true love...I lost my first love to a heart attack and now I am remarried and though he is very ill I may not have much time left with him wouldn't trade it for the world...that is what is called taking a vow seriously no matter what...since he has been sick for over 3 years not being able to be intermite since...so love has different forms...and it took a lifetime to find him
567700
Yes, when you take your marriage vows you say that you that you will take this person "for sickness and health...forsaking all others." Forsaking all others means just that, you will remain emotionally and physically devoted to that individual only. \n\nIf you were dating a person but were not having sex, would you not still say that you were in a "relationship."  Yes, and the reason is that we all acknowledge that being in a "relationship" means much, much more than the physical aspect. \n\nTherefore, to say that b/c we did not have sex I did not cheat on you is entirely wrong. He needs to own up to the situation. I am not saying your marriage is over, he needs to face what he did and you both need to start rebuilding the trust so that healing can take place. I wish you the best.
587245
Been through that my friend. There is no simple answer coz it's done. Tell her very politely that your relationship cannot live in the past and since you cannot change it, if she is so concerned she must have her freedom. Not simple, but that is how it should be. You cannot erase your past, only GOD can. I agree it has no relevance to your present circumstances. If it happened before you met her, she should love you for what you are. I hope she is an angel!!!
17984
I am a christian and it is not a sin to remarry because give someone he knows will love you for who you are. Although It did not work the first time. God is there to help you and bless you with someone who can love you as much as he do. but make sure the next is your last. make sure in your heart, mind and soul that you both are in love with each other and God himself.
365898
The difference is the definition of harm.  A consenting *adult* is considered to be aware of what he's consenting to, and is considered emotionally capable of dealing with the intricacies and consequences.  \n\nA child is not considered capable of those attributes, and thus is not considered capable of offering true consent.  There is too much risk of harm, especially mentally, and too much risk of coercion (the child saying 'yes' because they feel they have to, not because they actually want to.)  \n\nIt is true that the age at which we consider someone a 'child' in this sense is somewhat arbitrary.  Where you live, it is apparently 18.  Where I live, the age of consent is 14 (with some caveats, most of which are meant to exclude coercive elements.)  This is because the people who wrote the laws had different ideas of when the above considerations I mentioned held true, and when they were not true.\n\nAlso, for those who say "God does not make people gay,"  I present to you Romans, chapter 1 vs 26-27\n\n"For this reason GOD GAVE THEM OVER to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,\nand in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error."\n\nQuite clearly claims that God made at least these people gay...
550540
That's a tough one. The priest that will conduct the ceremony, will have to cheat (in essence), because it is against the rules of the doctrine (as far as I know) so that is why one of the two in the couple usually submits him/herself to the demands of the other's doctrine (he will have to be baptized orthodox Christian, in your case). There are exceptions but always in a personal level, and with the fear to get everybody in trouble. I live in an officially greek orthodox country and I grew up as one too (but I don't consider myself as one anymore) so I've heard many occasions like this. I can recall few marriages like the one you're seeking to have, but they are very rare and the couples said afterwards how kind the priest was (so, you see it gets personalized) that he did not demand anything like being baptized. Good luck
218404
This cannot be stated in a fixed period. You need to assess the level of understanding & closeness in the relation. Some people get closer and reach good understanding soon . In that case you can have sex soon . If you are still didn't reach good understanding better wait .
367583
According to Catholicism, anyway, it is certainly possible to marry the wrong person.  Problem is, you promised to be faithful 'for better or worse, till death do us part.'  In other words, thank God for your blessings, ask His help, and make the best of your marriage.  If your spouse dies, then you may of course remarry.  If your spouse is still living, then yes, it is adultury.  As for heaven or hell, that's up to God and not me.