Dating is an interesting process. You are basically opening your life to someone you don't really know to begin a relationship with. Once you start developing a relationship with them, you open yourself to them, in a way that their opinions and values have an impact on the decisions and directions your life take.
This is a good thing when the person you date and then develop a relationship with, helps you make decisions in life that make you a better person in your own eyes. It is a bad thing though when the person you are forming a relationship with, tries to make you a better person in their eyes, with little or no regard to what you want out of life.
Culture and religion can play a big part in this, especially if your date has strong beliefs or tendencies along either of these lines. The reason why culture and religion can play a big part in this is because the rules of both tend to be strict (to varying degrees) with little or no room for compromise.
Two of the pillars of a successful relationship are compromise and understanding. As such, cross religion or cross cultural relationships are sometimes difficult. This is because, due to "devotion to the cause", the religious person's views and attitudes can sometimes be rigid, breaking down the precepts of compromise and understanding.
When I point this out, don't take it the wrong way. I'm not saying religion and culture are good or bad. I'm not saying religious or cultural people are right or wrong for you. All I am saying is that rigid beliefs and ideals can impact the development of a relationship and you should be aware of it.
Asian culture for example is very different to western culture. If Asian culture is important to you, one of the easiest ways to ensure you continue to live under its constructs is to surround yourself with like minded people. Dating is a part of this, dating people committed to Asian culture is important.
If you have not lived your life within an Asian culture and have little interest in it, then dating someone who was very strong in this regard could cause problems. It could be difficult to understand some of the values this person shared with you and some of their opinions about the thing you do. A successful relationship in this regard will take lots of compromise and understanding.
Religion works in the same manner. If you are Jewish for example, or Christian, there are certain moral standards and precepts you live your life within. Other people from the same religious denomination understand those guidelines and understand the impact they have on your decision making process and interpretation of life's events. As such, dating a person from the same religion can promote harmony in the relationship and mutual growth for the both of you in faith and life.
Matters of the heart rarely work out exactly as we expect though, so often inter-religion relationships occur. To be successful, tremendous understanding is required from both parties in the relationship. Discord often arises when the non-religious partner acts in a manner that, while socially acceptable, may not be within the strictures of the religious partner's religion. When this happens, for the relationship to be successful, compromise is required from both sides.
This article is an idea. It has been written to promote thought, understanding and compromise. These three things are pillars of any successful relationship. Many inter-culture and inter-religion relationship exist today and are very successful. So don't shy away from them, just love and understand the needs of your partner.
This is a good thing when the person you date and then develop a relationship with, helps you make decisions in life that make you a better person in your own eyes. It is a bad thing though when the person you are forming a relationship with, tries to make you a better person in their eyes, with little or no regard to what you want out of life.
Culture and religion can play a big part in this, especially if your date has strong beliefs or tendencies along either of these lines. The reason why culture and religion can play a big part in this is because the rules of both tend to be strict (to varying degrees) with little or no room for compromise.
Two of the pillars of a successful relationship are compromise and understanding. As such, cross religion or cross cultural relationships are sometimes difficult. This is because, due to "devotion to the cause", the religious person's views and attitudes can sometimes be rigid, breaking down the precepts of compromise and understanding.
When I point this out, don't take it the wrong way. I'm not saying religion and culture are good or bad. I'm not saying religious or cultural people are right or wrong for you. All I am saying is that rigid beliefs and ideals can impact the development of a relationship and you should be aware of it.
Asian culture for example is very different to western culture. If Asian culture is important to you, one of the easiest ways to ensure you continue to live under its constructs is to surround yourself with like minded people. Dating is a part of this, dating people committed to Asian culture is important.
If you have not lived your life within an Asian culture and have little interest in it, then dating someone who was very strong in this regard could cause problems. It could be difficult to understand some of the values this person shared with you and some of their opinions about the thing you do. A successful relationship in this regard will take lots of compromise and understanding.
Religion works in the same manner. If you are Jewish for example, or Christian, there are certain moral standards and precepts you live your life within. Other people from the same religious denomination understand those guidelines and understand the impact they have on your decision making process and interpretation of life's events. As such, dating a person from the same religion can promote harmony in the relationship and mutual growth for the both of you in faith and life.
Matters of the heart rarely work out exactly as we expect though, so often inter-religion relationships occur. To be successful, tremendous understanding is required from both parties in the relationship. Discord often arises when the non-religious partner acts in a manner that, while socially acceptable, may not be within the strictures of the religious partner's religion. When this happens, for the relationship to be successful, compromise is required from both sides.
This article is an idea. It has been written to promote thought, understanding and compromise. These three things are pillars of any successful relationship. Many inter-culture and inter-religion relationship exist today and are very successful. So don't shy away from them, just love and understand the needs of your partner.
About the Author:
Jayde Johanssen realises that christian dating sites play an important purpose in matching people together in faith and love. Free reprint available from: Dating - When Culture and Religion Become Factors.
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