Flirting with muslim women

[AdamP88]

both see Jesus as a Great Prophet

Well…actually Catholics see Jesus as God.

In any case, it’s not really encouraged by the Church to marry outside the faith. It never was banned, but it’s always been “gently opposed”.

 

[ChristMyLife]

Well…actually Catholics see Jesus as God.

Catholics see Jesus as both the Prophet that was to come into the world, and as the Son of God.

Muslims reject the idea that he was the Son of God, but there’s no reason to create tension where no tension should exist. No Christian should disagree with any Muslim that Jesus was a Great Prophet.

 

[ChristMyLife]

In any case, it’s not really encouraged by the Church to marry outside the faith.

It’s not encouraged because it’s not ideal. The Church teaches us ideals and tells us to strive for perfection.

However, the Church in her infinite wisdom, imitating her Merciful Lord Jesus Christ, understands her children will often fall short of the perfect ideals she teaches, and so makes reasonable concessions for particular circumstances.

A Catholic falling in love with a good Turkish Muslim woman is one of those circumstances.

 

[Zach]

Were you flirting or talking to them? These seem to get confused nowadays. I’ve heard people say look at so and so “hitting on” her when all the guy was doing was engaging in normal human interaction and communication. This attitude makes people think twice before before being friendly and talking with the opposite sex and is detrimental to normal human communication.

 

[ChristMyLife]

flirting or talking to them? These seem to get confused nowadays. I’ve heard people say look at so and so “hitting on” her when all the guy was doing was engaging in normal human interaction and communication.

The line between “talking/interacting” and “flirting” is paper thin, and often indistinguishable.

 

[Zach]

No it’s not. If that’s the case then all talking is flirting which is ridiculous. Adult life isn’t a high school where everyone goes around flirting all the time. And even teenagers are capable of talking without flirting.

 

[ChristMyLife]

it’s not. If that’s the case then all talking is flirting which is ridiculous. Adult life isn’t a high school where everyone goes around flirting all the time. And even teenagers are capable of talking without flirting.

Human nature is strongly sexual. Sexual and physical attraction are some of our most potent impulses.

When interacting with the opposite sex, if you’re an average aged adult with a functioning libido and heterosexual attraction, sex and physical attraction will have a greater or lesser degree of influence in the way you interact with the opposite sex.

There’s a reason why places like the Holy Mount Athos don’t allow women around… Because they understand human nature and know that it’s impossible to interact with the opposite sex in a 100% pure manner. Sex and physical attraction always, ALWAYS, plays at least some part in opposite sex interaction. At least between sexually mature, healthy, heterosexual individuals.

 

[Zach]

That might sound good in theory but in the real world it’s hollow. That type of thinking is why I said confusing flirting with talking weakens communication. And by your logic if I am talking to a friend’s wife there is necessarily a sexual component to it. Rubbish

 

[ChristMyLife]

And even teenagers are capable of talking without flirting.

I never said they weren’t.

I said the line between flirting and normal interaction is often imperceptible.

There’s a reason why co workers and acquaintances often end up as couples.

 

[ChristMyLife]

And by your logic if I am talking to a friend’s wife there is necessarily a sexual component to it. Rubbish

I’m not saying you’re consciously wanting to commit adultery with your friends wife.

I’m saying your human nature will cause you to be physically attracted to her if she’s a decent looking woman, and this innate sexual attraction will influence the way you interact with her… And if you don’t keep it in check, it could lead to the sin of flirting with another mans wife.

 

[billy1]

Were you flirting or talking to them? These seem to get confused nowadays. I’ve heard people say look at so and so “hitting on” her when all the guy was doing was engaging in normal human interaction and communication. This attitude makes people think twice before before being friendly and talking with the opposite sex and is detrimental to normal human communication.

In a nutshell: FLIRTING.

 

[BartholomewB]

both see Jesus as a Great Prophet, and both worship the One and Only Allah.

Everything I just wrote is official Catholic doctrine.

But in the CCC we read that there were no more prophets after John the Baptist. That would surely seem to imply that Jesus is not to be numbered among the prophets, even though in the Gospels he is several times acclaimed as a prophet by those who witness his miracles.

523. St. John the Baptist is the Lord’s immediate precursor or forerunner, sent to prepare his way.196 “Prophet of the Most High”, John surpasses all the prophets, of whom he is the last. 197 He inaugurates the Gospel, already from his mother’s womb welcomes the coming of Christ, and rejoices in being “the friend of the bridegroom”, whom he points out as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”.198 Going before Jesus “in the spirit and power of Elijah”, John bears witness to Christ in his preaching, by his Baptism of conversion, and through his martyrdom.199

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P1L.HTM

 

[ChristMyLife]

But in the CCC we read that there were no more prophets after John the Baptist

You’re misinterpreting the CCC.

The CCC is saying “the last of the Old Testament Prophets,” not that “prophets no longer exist after John.”

Scripture itself implies Jesus was the Prophet who came into the world.

John 4:19 “Sir,’ the woman said, 'I can see that you are a prophet.”

John 6:14 "Therefore when the people saw the sign which he had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world”

The CCC also says:

CCC 2004:

"Among the special graces ought to be mentioned the graces of state that accompany the exercise of the responsibilities of the Christian life and of the ministries within the Church:

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith"

And

CCC 1268

"The baptized have become “living stones” to be "built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood.“74 By Baptism they share in the priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and royal mission”

Lastly, many of the Apostles and Saints since have been recognized as having a prophetic charism.

 

[Gilly_flower]

A Muslim man may marry a Christian woman, but a Muslim woman would not be permitted to marry a Christian man unless he agreed to convert.

 

[billy1]

I know this. And this is exactly what troubles me. From my part, I decided to follow my conscience which tells me to stop playfully flirting with muslim women. But I don’t know how to prevent women from approaching me and avoid unnecessary conversations without coming off as rude.

 

[LilyM]

Wowie wow. Lotta stuff to unpack here.

First: in the OP, it almost sounded like this flirting was coming about by accident. If that’s the case, fine; it was unintentional, but now follow your conscience and quit it. If it isn’t accidental, and you are talking about one woman, then know that like other posters said, you could be endangering her and you are certainly putting yourself in a dangerous position, possibly courting someone of another faith. Particularly one so flagrantly contradictory to your own.
That brings me to the second point. Contrary to what other posters have said, NO, it is not “okay” to marry someone of a contradictory or even merely not-on-the-same-page faith. For one, you’re conveying to the person that they’re perfectly acceptable the way they are and no change needs to happen. In that case, it seems there’s not a lot of care for this gal’s status with God. Islam is inherently contradictory and antithetical to our Catholic faith. Unequally toning yourself will bring pain and heartache, especially for your kids.

Don’t go through with whatever is in your head right now. Unless, of course, this gal is willing to convert. Or unless you’re not very serious about your faith.

Pax Christi.
Crux sacra sit mihi lux, non draco sit mihi dux

But St Paul talks about marriage between believers and non-believers - and says a believer can be the salvation of their unbelieving spouse. So it’s hardly an inevitable recipe for disaster.

 

[ChristMyLife]

but a Muslim woman would not be permitted to marry a Christian man unless he agreed to convert

Maybe under certain schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

It’s not very conductive though to speak of Muslims as if they are monolithic. There is a vast array of differing schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

 

[Sophie111]

that it’s impossible to interact with the opposite sex in a 100% pure manner.

Poor terminology perhaps.
I suspect what you meant to say was “in a 100% concupiscence free manner.”
Concupiscence is not always impure, only Protestants, and Augustine, tend to think that way.

But it may be unwise if you dont have the necessary follow through. If you dont know how to not be flirtatious then you better learn quick. Its pretty easy, control the eyes the smile, the tease, the innuendo, the loose tongue, the over familiarity and stop revelling in their charm. Every male knows how. Its the will to do so that seems to be your difficulty. Just think of her brothers and cousins coming over in a pick up truck to beat you up when you want to follow those tickling feelings!

 

[ChristMyLife]

suspect what you meant to say was “in a 100% concupiscence free manner.”

You’re on track with what I mean, yes.

Physical attraction and our innate sexual nature always plays a greater or lesser role in our interactions with the opposite sex… At least in most normal circumstances anyway.

 

[StephenBales]

Inevitable, no, but if you’re going into a marriage unequally yoked, it creates the impression no further progression, development, or change is necessary or desired. “Why should I change my religion? He married me already, so apparently I was good enough.”