Do you think it's important that your partner share your spiritual path? Why or why not?
368890
Not for me.  My Partner subscribes to some sort of Native American spirituality.  He knows I am agnostic and spiritual.  He leaves my Spirituality to my own methods and I leave his to his own.  :-)  Tho, we did agree if we get curious about the other's spirituality, we can always ask. :-)
573811
faith has a big part to do in helping me love life. I'm not saying I'm a saint and do this everyday, but when I try to notice all the small blessings, it really adds up and helps me be happy.\n\nIf you're wanting to do something new, has there always been something you've been wanting to try or pick up in knowing more about a certain subject/activity you've always were curious about? For my boyfriend, it's motorcycles. Me, ballroom dancing. Another friend, poetry. Etc. Etc.\n\nHope that helps!
195022
I wish it were so simple an issue as to be able to say that If you love him and he loves you then your faith should not be an issue. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case when two people have different yet equally strong ties to a separate faiths.\n\nIn a relationship between two adults, religious differences can often cause tremendous stress and rifts in the relationship. Particularly when you are talking about a religion such as Christianity that believes that their faith is the only right faith and all others are condemned to eternal suffering in hell.  Right away, you are no longer an equal with your partner. Then there is the problem that comes from the questions of your future. If you stay together and decide to get married, will you have a Buddhist of Christian wedding? As a Buddhist, I would have no problem having a Christian wedding because Buddhism is less about pomp and ceremony and more about self awareness and compassion. I am sure you feel the same way.  But then comes the BIG question, if you have children, will you raise the child as a Christian or as a Buddhist? If you Choose Christianity, what will you tell you children when they see you practicing your Buddhism or reading sutras? If they ask about your faith, what will you tell them? Do you lie? This would be wrong. Do you tell the truth and watch as the conflicts between Christian ideology and Buddhist wisdom cause your children to question their faith in the Christian god? What do you do if a child chooses to become Buddhist? Would you husband let that happen or would it become a battle? \n\nI have seen the differences in faiths work. I know a couple who have lived a very happy life and have two beautiful children and they don’t fight over religion. But then again, neither of these two have ever felt so strongly about their faith that they would not be willing to make such concessions. \n\nIf your man is asking you to give up Buddhism, as your self this. Why must you give anything up? Are you asking him to give up his faith? If not, then why would someone that purportedly 'loves' you ask you to do something he is unwilling to do? That should tell you something. \n\nRemember, Buddha said that there is a cause of suffering, which is attachment or desire rooted in ignorance. To desire someone so much as to give up what is fundamentally apart of your beliefs is to give into attachment and thus give into suffering. \n\nI am a Chan Buddhist and we believe in balance. If your man is unwilling to give up Christianity, then that is his choice. We, as Buddhists, should not ask him to give up anything. However, he should not as us to give up anything either. Buddhists should be understanding of all faiths.\n\nIn summery, I think you should ask yourself what it is you hope to get from the relationship. If you can not believe what you choose to believe, then is this a healthy relationship or is it a relationship based on less then admirable traits?  Only you can answer. \n\nI hope this helps.
931112
Hard question...Usually I would say that this is a line I wouldn't cross. However,  if this guy/girl is your soul mate and you absolutely love each other to the point of marriage, I think you should discuss it with your friend because the relationship with that guy/girl would then be the most important not your friend's.
993515
As long as you're sincerely trying, it's okay -- but it's best to regularly see some sort of qualified spiritual advisor or director.  \n\nThat way, it's much less likely that you'll talk yourself into thinking you have a relationship with God when you really don't, or if your relationship with Him isn't what it should be.
938012
I believe what you believe is the best.\n\nShouldn't allow any one, including boyfriend/husband force you in to a religion.\n\nIf your bf was a Scientolgy Religion type, would you embrace that religion too ?  Make your own mind up like you appear to be doing. :)
305194
Does your relationship bring life? Does it encourage you do do all the things you know are right? When you are apart are you preoccupied with thoughts of her? If you can answer yes to those questions it might be. my suggestion pray about it, read the bible it has all the answers.
978341
God needs to be the center of a union of marriage. Once partners are in tuned with eachother and their relationship with God is secure, your spouse will tell you what he / she wants and you can follow the program.
378437
Well, i think that when there are different faiths involved both spouses have to be open minded and they have to communicate with each other about their different religions/ faith. I am not married but i am in a relationship where we both have different religions. We talk about it and we try to know or to learn about the different religion. Mostly because of curiosity but also b/c we have to set boundaries. So if you talk to them and make sure they know how you feel then it'll be alright, but also as long you each of you do not try to impose their religion on each other. Just be open minded and talk about it.
397131
For sure!  Those are the people who need our love and friendship most of all!\n\nIt's important to always respect one another's opinions and beliefs.
541936
you are the only one that can answer that. how do you feel about each other and do you trust,and have faith in your relationship to go on with    what is ahead of you.and you love each other
1084606
If you feel this will be an issue that can cause problems in a relationship, it would probably be a bad idea to stay together. I know you will have issues if you get married and have kids because you'll want to instill one set of beliefs in them, and he'll want another set of beliefs instead.
173953
Not neccesarily. Relationships where both parties share the same religion tend to last longer than relationships where one person is religious and the other is not or relationships where each has a different religion (or even denomination).
784882
it is definitely more important to be spiritual\nreligion segregates whereas spirituality unites\n\nwhen one can fuse both though with a nice balance .. it can work
335832
I am Wiccan and God and the Goddess are with me every day. Perhaps the answer to your question would be that these people do not commit to a spiritual path and only think about God when things are rough. When you follow a path with devotion in your heart religion becomes a way of life, not a once a week visit to a church or circle in my case. My religion breathes and beats with every breath and pulse of my body, therefore God/Goddess are with me always. They are part of my daily thoughts, actions, and normal living. I converse with them often, and when I enter my circle I feel their love. Again I repeat, religion is way of life, carried within and without, including the physical practise of it. The people you are referring to undoubtedly fail to have a path to follow.
1099351
I agree whole-heartedly with you Doug.  It is very hard to maintain relationships if we can't even maintain the very basis of our spiritual being with Jesus Christ.  Good insight and wisdom on your part.
336337
Yes. My soul mate and I know what each other are thinking. We complete each other sentences like we are connected telepathically. We also have more heat in the bedroom then we have both ever had before. We both look forward every day to seeing each other at night and we talk on the phone like a couple of teenagers several times a day and we love each other in a way most people would never understand. This has been going on for 14 years now and has not diminished a bit even after 2 kids came along. So, do you think I have found my soul mate? I certainly do.