Christian
Courting Advice †
Should
Christians be Dating or Courting?
The recent (or longstanding however you look at it) debate on
Christian courting or courtship versus Christian dating, is a
hot topic these days in churches and Christian communities. What
is courting?.. and what's dating? The definitions as you would
expect are blurred (since the meaning of all words shift over
time) and different cultures certainly have different meanings
for them.
So
where does one start?.. First - there's a need to look at the
present meanings and conotations associeted with the words 'courting'
and 'dating' in order to answer the question of wether courting
or dating is more exceptable for Christians. The term dating in
the dictionary certainly does, as far as I can see, mean pretty
much what we mean when we say 'courting' - just take a look at
this...
What
is Dating? - Dictionary guide definition:
1) "An engagement to go out socially with another person,
often out of romantic interest".
2) "One's companion on such an outing".
What
is Courting? - Dictionary guide definition:
"To try to gain the
love or affections of, especially to seek to marry.
To attempt to gain the favor of by attention or flattery: a salesperson
courting a potential customer".
Interestingly - according to the dictionary
meaning of the words, I'd put my money on 'dating'.. since it's
actually 'courting', according to the definition above that involves
trying to gain someones interest and even 'marry' by gaining attention,
flattery, salesmanship!
The reality is somewhere in between. We
all need to sell ourselves well to others at work and even in
the matching game. But it should be done carefully and prayerfully!:)
We shouldn't seek to try people out for size or take them for
a test run. This is worldly.
So
it is in fact us humans that have attached a negative conotation
with the word dating! If 'Dating' to you is trying each girl in
the congregation out for size - then yes - you have it all wrong.
If however it means carefully getting ot know someone slowly and
prayerfully - and at some point asking them out to see if you
get on and have things in common - then that's perfect. One can't
be expected to do more than that.
If
you want to meet Christian friends, a soulmate, penpal or someone
you can seriously start to court, check out some of these Christian
club venues and websites online!!!!
Meet
Christian Singles online free for Christian courting & dating
advice
www.conservativematch.com
- christian courtship article
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social events sitea and Christian party organisation
Christian Events website
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Help @ christian advice.net 2003
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