Musings in Search of a Muse

A question has vexed me of late, or more so than when I first started dating again earlier this year. Christians should love everyone, but can a Christian be in love with a non-Christian and have a successful and beneficial relationship?

There was a woman that "stalked" me at work, went out with me a few times, then dumped me a few months later. There wasn't a moment that I believed I would fall in love, but I did love her more than most for what she did for me. My confidence is up, a few demons have been exorcised (so to speak), some oats - a few mild, a few wild -were sown, and I now have a clearer idea of which habits and desires within distract me from my faith. All this will make me a better person for the next woman I date.

And that's already started. Last week I had supper (well, breakfast foods at supper time) and took in a movie with an adorable lady that I've had my eye on for sometime. She makes me feel comfortable despite my suspicion that she's much brighter than me and that I know she certainly is much more mature -- and I'm not talking age.

A comment she made during the movie, however, got me to thinking about that question again. Not that I'm in love after one date or that I can foresee at this early time that a long-term relationship is likely or even possible. But she said something to the effect that "all religions are alike" or that "all religions are of equal value." As a Christian, that bothers me. I'm sure it would bother the devout of any faith, actually, but I go with my perspective as a natural consequence.

The question will likely continue as a vexation as despite considerable thought for nearly a week I have made no progress in formulating an answer. Certainly a good relationship requires commonalities and healthy differences, is my initial thought, but I don't go much beyond that. Likely what I seek is too personal to be thinking about it in general terms. Now if only I can keep my desire to be in love from blinding me to the best response ...