Quote Originally Posted by Jimbo View Post
This is a strange idea for me. I don't think there's anything like it in Australia per se. Is abstinance primarily a religious thing (Christian and other)?

What happens if you meet your future wife and she's not into abstinance? Do you let the love of your life slip away because you're not prepared to do now what you will most certainly be doing later (post-wedding)? Or does the definition of the perfect partner include abstinance on their part too?

Please excuse my ignorance - I'm genuinely interested in this and how it plays out in practice.

James.
James,

Most of us who practice abstinence out of moral considerations tend to only date others of similar beliefs. Speaking for myself, I would not date anyone for any length of time who I did not know to be a Christian (2 Cor 6:14-18). Please understand (I want to clarify at least one common misconception), I am not saying that “true Christian” (whatever that means) would only date virgins (or, necessarily, be virgins themselves). Rather I would only date someone who was actively following Christ prior to the start of our relationship. The personal history of this person in this regard is not necessarily relevant; we all have baggage of one sort or another. Where someone was is not nearly as important as where they are; where someone is is of miniscule importance compared to where they are heading.

As to the intricacies and rationales of other religious or moral beliefs, I can offer no clarification. At any rate, I find it hard to see how the love of the true “love of your life” would be conditional on your being willing to violate any principle you value as of fundamental import.

Hope this helps, sometimes it seems like my babbling just muddies the water,
Michael
P.S. - Concerning the source of biblical references and quotes I tend proffer to support my opinions at various times, and lest anyone erroneously assume that I have a good memory or have such a deep understanding and knowledge of the Bible that I know exactly where to find what I am looking for at any given time on any given topic , I wish to point out the biblegateway.com is an excellent resource, complete with search engine goodness .
-Michael