What makes it slightly more pressing is I've met someone in real life (not online) (Which, like, hasn't happened to me in years). We're gonna go out (on a date!) in a week and a half. So far, the religious thing hasn't been a major topic of conversation, but I do know that briefly she was pursuing a Masters in religious studies. She's rather progressive but does go to church almost every Sunday. She's also kind of New-Agey (I think). My Evil Godless ways haven't come up yet, although she knows I'm not a conservative Christian like my parents and that I've done the sperm donor thing to my sister's GF.
It's weird - If I'd run across her online at a dating site I probably wouldn't have contacted her, figuring we were too different, but in actuality I'm a little smitten with her.
Comments: I suspect there are people out there who consider themselves believers in Something who don't feel the need for someone they date to be a believer in the same Something or Anything at all. You might like to date some of them, so don't limit yourself. Cast the net wide-ish, I say.
Which is totally easy for me to say, since I'm not casting any nets at the moment.
I don't know that pursuing a Master's in Religious Studies is likely to make somebody more religious.
(My mother had an M.Div. and uh, she was in no way a proselytizer. Actually, she was raised Buddhist, converted to Christianity as a teenager, studied the Old Testament in grad school and wound up. . . Buddhist.)
Unless you are an 'evangelical atheist' I would at leas be open to the possibility of dating someone that has a stronger religious interest than you do. Assuming that by dating you are hoping there might be something more serious, there are lots of traditions and rituals where compromises will need to be made . I have a friend who is an atheist- and is married to a religious woman - whose family started a church. She is not as religious as some of her family, but she is involved. He volunteers - does repair and maybe some art work - but he doesn't go to the men's breakfast.
I would never have picked my husband at an online dating site. He's not witty with the written word, he can't spell, and he's not what I consider "my type" physically either.
He also believes in God, and I don't (although he's not at all religious - was raised Catholic, but has sort of vague spiritual beliefs and a vague interest in Buddhism.)
OK, I feel better about stuff. Thanks, y'all.
I don't know that pursuing a Master's in Religious Studies is likely to make somebody more religious.
Yeah, I'm now thinking this might mean she's more broadminded....
I'd think someone academically studying religion (including its history and how dogma changes over time) would be fairly openminded about it. At the very least, enough so that she doesn't assume she already knows all the answers.
tommy, from that brief description, I'd bet she's open minded enough to give it a go with you.
And also, congratulations! Yay date!
