Iran’s current persecution of Baha’is continues as the government security forces home raids without warrants and arrest Baha’i women. The BIC condemns these arrests and systematic
persecution and encourages a review of Iran’s human rights records
Environmentalism connects faith and reason, urging us to protect Earth’s sacredness. It’s a moral duty, shared by all, to defend our planet against destruction and greed.
The writer's best friend asked a question after he saw her sign "All Are Welcome Here" in the window. He wanted to know, "Are all welcome?" In this piece, she explains her answer.
A Catholic contrarian reflects on proselytizing, urging people to share their beliefs with love, humility and respect, avoiding coercion, even when it's talking about a new movie.
FāVS News' community religious coverage spans all beliefs and traditions in the Inland Northwest, even when controversial. Our mission demands we listen to all voices to build understanding.
Tracy Simmons is an award-winning journalist specializing in religion reporting and digital entrepreneurship. In her approximate 20 years on the religion beat, Simmons has tucked a notepad in her pocket and found some of her favorite stories aboard cargo ships in New Jersey, on a police chase in Albuquerque, in dusty Texas church bell towers, on the streets of New York and in tent cities in Haiti. Simmons has worked as a multimedia journalist for newspapers across New Mexico, Texas, Connecticut and Washington. She is the executive director of FāVS.News, a digital journalism start-up covering religion news and commentary in Spokane, Washington. She also writes for The Spokesman-Review and national publications. She is a Scholarly Associate Professor of Journalism at Washington State University.
This is actually a very difficult question and likely does not have a universal answer. This is because of the problem with the word “okay”. Is it “okay” by what standard? Is there an objective one? In many cases, it depends on the faith or religion in question. Perhaps a better way of phrasing it would be: should it be okay to date someone from outside your faith?
Tracy Simmons
12 years ago
Good question Ryan! I guess my question is “from YOUR individual faith perspective, is it OK…”
Amy Rice
12 years ago
I think it is frowned upon, but not necessarily outright forbidden.
Ryan Downie
12 years ago
From my perspective it’s okay, as in there is no principle which forbids it on moral grounds. That said, it may not be a wise thing to do.
Neal Schindler
12 years ago
Case-by-case basis, depending on what the individuals involved in the relationship believe, how much their families’ opinions matter to them, and so on.
Bruce
12 years ago
Maybe its beneficial? One problem with religions is they become too ingrown. If Christians only date Christians, for example, then they never learn to see another perspective. They become hardened to any other viewpoint. Faith doesn’t grow unless its challenged, and being with someone of another faith challenges traditions and preconceptions.
Ryan Downie
12 years ago
Why would someone need to date a person of a differing faith to learn about it? That seems like a bad way to go about things. People should just learn about other positions or be friends with a variety of people with varying perspectives. Adding the extra complication of dating seems to be asking for trouble.
In fact, the bible even says that one should not be unequally yoked.
You said, ” If Christians only date Christians, for example, then they never learn to see another perspective.”
This seems to be clearly false. There are many ways in which a Christian might learn to see another perspective even if he/she only dates other Christians. There are many ways to be challenged and to resist being hardened to other viewpoints.
This is actually a very difficult question and likely does not have a universal answer. This is because of the problem with the word “okay”. Is it “okay” by what standard? Is there an objective one? In many cases, it depends on the faith or religion in question. Perhaps a better way of phrasing it would be: should it be okay to date someone from outside your faith?
Good question Ryan! I guess my question is “from YOUR individual faith perspective, is it OK…”
I think it is frowned upon, but not necessarily outright forbidden.
From my perspective it’s okay, as in there is no principle which forbids it on moral grounds. That said, it may not be a wise thing to do.
Case-by-case basis, depending on what the individuals involved in the relationship believe, how much their families’ opinions matter to them, and so on.
Maybe its beneficial? One problem with religions is they become too ingrown. If Christians only date Christians, for example, then they never learn to see another perspective. They become hardened to any other viewpoint. Faith doesn’t grow unless its challenged, and being with someone of another faith challenges traditions and preconceptions.
Why would someone need to date a person of a differing faith to learn about it? That seems like a bad way to go about things. People should just learn about other positions or be friends with a variety of people with varying perspectives. Adding the extra complication of dating seems to be asking for trouble.
In fact, the bible even says that one should not be unequally yoked.
You said, ” If Christians only date Christians, for example, then they never learn to see another perspective.”
This seems to be clearly false. There are many ways in which a Christian might learn to see another perspective even if he/she only dates other Christians. There are many ways to be challenged and to resist being hardened to other viewpoints.