Is it wrong for a christian to have a relationship with an atheist?

Answer 1

I guess, if you're willing to put religion aside. The fact is religion is not that important a question in finding a potential mate or lover. Most couples have wildly different views on many topics. In the long run if the relationship becomes permanent most topics which seem important at the onset of a relation, or which those not actually in the relationship see as important, become unimportant when real problems of health, children and finances arise and the couple must find their own way.

Any relation based on "only I am correct" is pretty much doomed.

Another Perspective

Religion is very important to some people and you shouldn't begin a relationship with someone whose personal views you cannot accept. You should not date an atheist with the hope of converting him or her. Each should respect the others views if they want to continue with the relationship.

If you decide to continue with the relationship, the topic of children should come up long before you decide to make the relationship permanent. It is extremely important to have an understanding and a plan about how the children will be raised: with or without religion. That issue can cause serious problems in a marriage when opinions differ. It often happens that a deeply religious person who is married to a person of a different view wants the children brought up within the religion. Much family life revolves around religion in a religious household and the non-religious person can become marginalized or subject to repeated pressure to change.

On the other hand, if the parties are mature and loving, the relationship can flourish.

Answer 2

It's not illegal. In the Catholic church, the bishop can give permission for a church wedding of atheist to catholic and the couple might elect for a shortened service - without the mass.

There will probably be arguments about whether the children should be Christened or brought up as Christians. Some couple compromise - and successful marriages generally contain plenty of that! - and give the children information about both points of view.

Answer:

Atheists can marry anyone they choose as can Christians. No permission is required from any "authority" to do so. The marriage can range from living together (regarded as marriage in many countries), a civil ceremony, to full blown Catholic masses (just for the show).

If the question means can an atheist officiate at a wedding to marry another atheist to a Christian in a civil ceremony, certainly- if his authority from the local regulators of such things is in order.

Answer 3

No one can answer that question except the parties who are involved. Many religious families would have serious objections to their child dating an atheist because most would not welcome an atheist into their family. Dating always has the potential to become more serious. However, if each can respect the other's differences they could have a great relationship if they have other things in common. If the relationship becomes serious the possibility of children and how they will be raised must be discussed well ahead of time and the couple must agree on a plan.

Answer 4

Yes. Christians can be friends with anyone, of any religion or none, so that includes atheists.

Not only is it OK, but I believe Christ himself would have criticized any Christian that refused to be a friend of someone "because they are not Christian" for being a hypocrite. Christ was extremely critical of hypocrisy.

Answer 5

Christians should befriend every person that they have interaction with. Christianity is primarily a missionary and evangelical religion: if you are not spreading and preaching the faith with your every action and speech, and making a sincere attempt to bring others to Christ; well, as it was once put to me-if you are not bringing other people to heaven, you seriously risk not getting in yourself.

Christianity is NOT a "me and Jesus" religion, it is all of us in the Church and Jesus-and we are specifically called to deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily and follow Him. And one of the ways in which we do that is to bring Him to others.

Answer 6

According to The Bible, there's a difference between a neighbor and a friend. Everyone is our neighbor, and we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (treat people with kindness) [Luke 10:25-37]. But, a friend is generally someone you hang out with; go to places they go to, do the things that they do.
II Corinthians 6:14-17 says:

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord."

It's common modern misconception that Jesus was/is a "friend of sinners". While it does "say" that in the Bible, what it does say is:

[Jesus to the crowd:] "John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by all her deeds." (Matt. 11:18, 19; Luke 7:33-35)
He was saying what the religious people (Pharisees) were saying about him. Jesus also said:

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:13-15)

So, basically, Christians are to be "friendly" to atheists (as opposed to being stand-offish), but not actual friends with them.

Answer 7

II Corinthians 6:14-17 says:

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord."

Answer 8

It diminishes Christianity when some supposed Christians say Christians should only be friendly to atheists, but not friends with them; and it diminishes Christianity when others say that the purpose of friendship should be a purely selfish intent to convert atheists.

Many Christians are already friends with atheists but do not realise it, because atheists do not go around telling others what they believe. Are these Christians any worse off for having a few more friends, who happen to be atheists? People of goodwill form friendships with people who share common interests, and do not quibble about whether these people are 'good enough' to be their friends. Let's make the world a better place by not creating social barriers between 'us' and 'them'.

Answer 9

Any relationship that starts off with the attitude of "Even though I am a (Christian, white person, man, Republican, union supporter, etc.) I will be friend to you inferior (atheist, foreigner, transgender, fat, poor etc.) person" is pretty much doomed. A friend is someone who you relate to as a person without person's labels getting in the way.

Answer 10

Wrong doesn't enter into it. Other words like "Missed opportunity to hang around with a friendly person " might be better.If they are open to questions ask if they cut people out of their lives for race, occupation national origin, if they are handicapped. If not, why not.