The Honest Truth: Should You Date Non-Catholics? An Article

[mdgspencer]

The Honest Truth: Should You Date Non-Catholics? – IGNITUM TODAY

This begins asking saying “But when it comes to the questions of dating non-Catholics , a lot of questions begin to surface. What are their opinions about the teachings of the Church? Are they hostile or friendly to Catholicism? And if the relationship leads to marriage, what are their thoughts about contraception and NFP?”

But, continuing, it explains how situations differ.

 

[Bushum]

The article doesn’t mention children. I think that would be my biggest concern. Will the children be raised Catholic?

 

[Le_Crouton]

Not all catholic relationships are great and some mixed relationships are better. It all depends on the couple

 

[Lavenderson]

Relationships can be complicated, so lets get philosophical here.

Take two couples, both identical in how well they get along with each other within their respective relationships. Except one couple is purely Catholic, the other is mixed.

All other variables being equal, the purely Catholic couple will always be better off than the mixed couple. In the real world if a purely Catholic couple experiences turbulence, fault for the trouble never rests on the faith itself, but on issues unrelated to the faith.

Hope that clears it up.

 

[AdamP88]

fault for the trouble never rests on the faith itself, but on issues unrelated to the faith.

Good point. I know a couple that has this as an issue.

IMO, it’s different for each person. Some people are willing to go for a non-Catholic and some people aren’t.

I would not be interested in the compromise and negotiation it would take and was not willing to compromise on faith. It works for some, but the Church never encourages it.

 

[Lifeisbeautiful3]

Take two couples, both identical in how well they get along with each other within their respective relationships. Except one couple is purely Catholic, the other is mixed.

All other variables being equal, the purely Catholic couple will always be better off than the mixed couple. In the real world if a purely Catholic couple experiences turbulence, fault for the trouble never rests on the faith itself, but on issues unrelated to the faith.

Hope that clears it up.

Counterpoint:
Take two couples, both identical in how well they get along with each other within their respective relationships. Except one couple is purely Catholic, the other is mixed.

All other variables being equal, the purely Catholic couple may be worse off than the mixed couple. In the real world if a purely Catholic couple experiences turbulence, and they feel that fault for the trouble rests on the faith itself (say the priest sex abuse scandal hits them close to home). They may not find a place for solace. With a second Christian faith in the mix, they might benefit from another avenue for healing.

 

[Greenfields]

It’s a good article drawing points to consider.
The comments afterwards many from personal experience are well worth the read too

 

[alphonsus1]

This leads to a lot of problems. I highly recommend against it.

 

[Lavenderson]

(say the priest sex abuse scandal hits them close to home)

Be careful not to commit the strawman fallacy. Show me where sexual abuse among the priesthood is an official position supported by either the Catechism, or in the teachings of any Popes or Saints. The Catholic faith is in no way to be blamed for the sins of fallible men.

With a second Christian faith in the mix, they might benefit from another avenue for healing.

There is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church. The couple would find much more benefit in further studying their Catholic faith, rather than joining a heretical Christian denomination.

 

[Convert3]

Well, my biased opinion is let the individuals decide for themselves. I was Protestant and married a Catholic girl. I agreed to raise our kids Catholic. We had a son and he was baptized Catholic. We divorced when our son was age three. She did not raise him in the faith and fell from it herself and became estranged from her family and had another child out of wedlock.
I married another Catholic girl who was widowed by a Catholic guy that left her in huge debt that she didn’t know about and with a son. She raised the son Catholic. After eighteen years of marriage I became Catholic. We are very happy. Sadly both boys are not practicing the faith.
My point is being Catholic doesn’t mean they are any better in a marriage than a mixed faith marriage, but it’s what the individuals put into a marriage that matters, and trusting God to guide you through the tough times.