This is a legitimate question I've been asking myself and wondering what other people thought on the matter. Basically, can two people with differing religious views - one of the belief that there is a God, and practices and praises their respective religion consistently, and the other is not a religious person, lacks faith, and believes in a more scientific, analytical, and logical ideology.
I have several components in mind that are probably major pieces that could improve the chances of whether or not this type of thing could work. On paper, it seems more than likely it couldn't, but it's something I'd like to have other people's opinions on in-depth, as I'm genuinely curious to what people think, and possibly any personal experiences they've had with this type of conflict in a relationship, and how it effected the outcome.
Personally, the main, most important, integral piece or component I had in mind is respect. You know, one might love their religion and see their religion as a huge part of their life, and of course being with someone who doesn't at all invest time in that ideology may be daunting, but if that non-religious person, who they've obviously found other reasons to like & enjoy their company, as they're in a relationship, respects and appreciates the other person's devotion to their religion and supports it, but simply doesn't get involved in it themselves, I feel like as long as the religious person is reasonable about the fact that people live their lives in different ways and could benefit from the fact of another point of view, then it could (emphasis on could) work. On the other hand, the religious person has to respect the non-religious person in the sense that they have legitimate reasons for choosing not to practice religion, and though obviously there's a chance they might decide otherwise later in life that they're believing in something, they have the right to do what they please. Realizing, accepting, and putting into action the thought that there is no "right answer" is also quite important in this way. Again, this is assuming that they've gotten in a relationship for liking each other and enjoying each other's company, despite not knowing their differing religious beliefs.
Of course, this is going to cause rifts in the relationship at times, and depending on the personality of the two, it could occur too often for anything palatable to work long-term. However, I am cautiously optimistic that with enough respect and understanding, this type of relationship is possible and can be maintained under these circumstances. It's interesting to think about because to me, in the end we're all people, and believing that there's someone up there shouldn't have to rip you apart from someone you're romantically involved with because they may not believe that same thing. It all ties back to how there's no right answer. I have to assert that if the non-religious person is an extreme type that shuns people who believe in God, then this whole argument is moot and there's no chance of there being a relationship. This thread is more to discuss kind of the slight opposite - the religious individual is an oft-practicing type that participates in religious acts outside of church, and has embraced that culture and ideology, whereas the other is accepting of that but not of the same beliefs or practices by any means.
If anyone is wondering, this isn't something I've dealt with or currently dealing with; so far I've been lucky enough to only date people with the same ideology as me, but it's something I could see myself having to deal with at some point in my life because of where I go to school, and where I am in the country.
I have several components in mind that are probably major pieces that could improve the chances of whether or not this type of thing could work. On paper, it seems more than likely it couldn't, but it's something I'd like to have other people's opinions on in-depth, as I'm genuinely curious to what people think, and possibly any personal experiences they've had with this type of conflict in a relationship, and how it effected the outcome.
Personally, the main, most important, integral piece or component I had in mind is respect. You know, one might love their religion and see their religion as a huge part of their life, and of course being with someone who doesn't at all invest time in that ideology may be daunting, but if that non-religious person, who they've obviously found other reasons to like & enjoy their company, as they're in a relationship, respects and appreciates the other person's devotion to their religion and supports it, but simply doesn't get involved in it themselves, I feel like as long as the religious person is reasonable about the fact that people live their lives in different ways and could benefit from the fact of another point of view, then it could (emphasis on could) work. On the other hand, the religious person has to respect the non-religious person in the sense that they have legitimate reasons for choosing not to practice religion, and though obviously there's a chance they might decide otherwise later in life that they're believing in something, they have the right to do what they please. Realizing, accepting, and putting into action the thought that there is no "right answer" is also quite important in this way. Again, this is assuming that they've gotten in a relationship for liking each other and enjoying each other's company, despite not knowing their differing religious beliefs.
Of course, this is going to cause rifts in the relationship at times, and depending on the personality of the two, it could occur too often for anything palatable to work long-term. However, I am cautiously optimistic that with enough respect and understanding, this type of relationship is possible and can be maintained under these circumstances. It's interesting to think about because to me, in the end we're all people, and believing that there's someone up there shouldn't have to rip you apart from someone you're romantically involved with because they may not believe that same thing. It all ties back to how there's no right answer. I have to assert that if the non-religious person is an extreme type that shuns people who believe in God, then this whole argument is moot and there's no chance of there being a relationship. This thread is more to discuss kind of the slight opposite - the religious individual is an oft-practicing type that participates in religious acts outside of church, and has embraced that culture and ideology, whereas the other is accepting of that but not of the same beliefs or practices by any means.
If anyone is wondering, this isn't something I've dealt with or currently dealing with; so far I've been lucky enough to only date people with the same ideology as me, but it's something I could see myself having to deal with at some point in my life because of where I go to school, and where I am in the country.