Is Online Dating a Sin

Is Online Dating a Sin?

Imagine the twenty-first-century world without online platforms. What do you see? Communication will be hampered, technology backward, businesses stagnant, education limited, knowledge barely transferable, and connection will crawl on its belly. More than half of life activities are carried out online. According to the World Internet Usage and Population Statistics, about sixty-two percent of the world population was estimated to use online platforms in 2021. From entertainment, communication, getting information, acquiring knowledge, business operations, and transactions, all the way down to meeting potential life partners. Many have had to adapt to these changes as online has become the new normal. 

In Gary Chapman’s book, ‘Things I wish I knew before I got married,’ he describes dating as a stage of a relationship or a period that precedes marriage. He defined a date as an appointment between a male and a female who agree to spend time together to get better acquainted. However, the real essence of dating is to get acquainted with the person with whom you intend to commit to. The point is to get to know his/her attitudes, character, strengths, weaknesses, interests, dreams, vision, values, friends, family, and lots more. It is a stage of uncovering in a relationship and deciding whether you are willing to proceed to the next level. This is what makes dating a very crucial aspect of any relationship.

The Oxford dictionary defines sin as ‘an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law’. And a sin according to the book of James 4:17 says that “Anyone who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.”

>>Also Read: Why Is Christian Dating So Hard?

Communication and Entertainment is Not a Sin, Just Like Dating Online

Communicating online is not a sin; neither is getting entertained online a sin. Therefore, dating online as well cannot be considered a sin. The determining factor as to whether dating is a sin or not is not based on the online platform on which it is carried out but on the act itself. In essence, one can communicate freely or be entertained online. Still, the content of that communication or entertainment is the point of consideration. Therefore, dating online itself is not a sin. Still, the motive behind it and the nature of activities involved determine if it is a sin.

There are many schools of thought as to whether dating online is good or not. Some online relationships have lasted and resulted in fruitful marriages. Others ended up in divorce, and many others did not even get to the stage of a committed relationship. Dating is no joke or play. It’s a crucial time in your life where the decisions you make can make you or mar you. It is for this reason that people criticize online dating, believing that such a crucial thing should not be done online, a place where 70% of the activities are false.

There are always pros and cons to everything in life. However, the cons of dating online far outweigh the pros, and that is why a lot of people are not in support of it, and many others even label it as a sin. That is why many people also believe that online dating is not trusting god. However, personally I don’t believe that to be the case.

Is Online Dating Not Trusting God

>>Also Read: Most Important Christian Dating Advice

Here Are Some Major Pitfalls of Online Dating:

Dating Misconceptions

People date for various reasons known to them; some date based on physical appearance, others to satisfy a deep longing or desire, and few to build a home. Dating, however, entails a whole lot, far more than physical appearance or the satisfaction of an inner desire. Nowadays, online platforms create an avenue where people focus more on outward appearance and satisfy a need as the basis of dating. It also gives room to search for perfect people, making many to give more attention to people’s flaws rather than on their positive qualities. It also drives many to place a façade on who they are so that others can accept them. All these disrupt the real essence of dating, building friendship, and getting to know your partner for who they are.

False Identity

Anyone can be deceived at any place and at any time. Still, this rate of deception can only be higher on a platform where you don’t get to see the person for who they truly are. Many have put up false profiles online, lying about their physical makeup, marital or social status, experiences, and many more to be accepted or for many other ulterior motives known to them. There’s no truth most of the time, and a lot of people are just trying to put out their best to make certain kinds of impressions.

>>Also Read: Are Christian Dating Sites Safe?

Dubious Intentions

There’s so much evil going on around us right now, and you don’t want to be a victim of all of these. Online dating has become another scamming platform. Many have given access to personal life through online dating, bank details, home address, etc. 

Also, many people out there have ulterior motives, and sometimes, you can’t tell until it’s too late. Many have also been sexually assaulted and even murdered by meeting up with people they started dating online. However, it’s very important to be cautious of all of these; not all people have good intentions.

Addictions

Precious time that could be used for doing something more productive is usually wasted in front of the computer almost for the entire day, searching for potential life partners. Ronald Vyhmeister, in his article ‘Positive and Negative sides of online dating,’ stated, “People who tend to get involved in such a relationship tend to forget everything else. This affects their activities and their health as well. They tend to stay online for long periods, skipping meals and sleep, and avoiding their responsibilities. These individuals also drift from family and friends and start experiencing drastic mood swings. The worst is when they have a problem with the computer or cannot log in to the website, they become highly frustrated and keep on grumbling.”

A lot of times, people resort to online dating because they no longer trust the people they see around them. They prefer to give themselves to someone obscure to avoid the hurt and commitment that accompany physical dating. Sometimes, people are not confident in their looks and abilities. So they resort to online dating where their identities and looks can be hidden for their safety.

>>Also Read: What is Christian Dating Like?

Is Online Dating a Sin? – Final Thoughts

Online dating has brought an almost irrecoverable trauma to many people. Still, it counts, but online dating still has its good sides beyond a measure of doubt. Many have found potential partners that share similar interests with them, and some relationships have even progressed to marriage. But it’s still very important to be wary of all these pitfalls and be cautious. Online dating is not a sin. It only becomes a sin when that opportunity is abused and used for evil and to satisfy malicious desires. Online dating, just like any other business connection out there, is dating done online. In a global century like this, it is very much common and growing.

>>Also Read: Is Being On Tinder Embarrassing?

Imagine the twenty-first-century world without online platforms. What do you see? Communication will be hampered, technology backward, businesses stagnant, education limited, knowledge barely transferable, and connection will crawl on its belly. More than half of life activities are carried out online. According to the World Internet Usage and Population Statistics, about sixty-two percent of the…