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Six Things Every Christian Single Should Know Before Dating Online (Part One)


Years ago, online dating had a reputation that was less than desirable. But today, that stigma is quickly passing. Thousands of single Christians are currently finding friends and establishing relationships through online dating. Major websites like Eharmony are running huge advertising campaigns with great success. Online dating is becoming more and more mainstream, and the Christian singles community is jumping on board with both feet.

So you've been thinking about it too? Great! But before putting your "feet to the fire", here's some tips that will help make your online dating experience a pleasant and fulfilling one.

Tip #1: Your Secret Identity

Unfortunately, there are those who lurk in online dating sites (yes, even Christian ones) to prey upon unsuspecting victims. That's why it's so important to remain anonymous. Personal information, such as email addresses and phone numbers, should be kept under wraps until after you meet the person and feel you could trust them. Set up a free account through Juno, Hotmail or Yahoo specifically to communicate with online dating prospects. Never offer any info that could be traced online, such as last names, employers, addresses, etc. You'd be amazed at what someone can find out about you with a tiny piece of info. And if someone tries to pressure you into revealing something, RUN! Many cases of identity theft (as well as stalking) have been born through an online dating experience.

Tip #2:The Father Knows Best

So you're chatting with someone online and things seem to be going well. But there's a creepy feeling in your gut that just won't go away. Chances are it's not the leftover Chinese food you had for dinner. It may be the Holy Spirit ringing a warning bell.

The Lord knows what's best for us, and He wants us to obtain it. That's why the Holy Spirit is here. To guide us into situations that are good and lead us away from situations that are bad. It's the still small voice, your conscience, the gut feeling that either says, "Oh yeah, that's great" or "Ick, I don't want it". And in the Christian online dating game, it's your most important tool.

So in the first stages online dating, be skeptical. Don't buy into a message, profile, or something you've been told (the old saying still holds water--if it's too good to be true, it probably is!). The anonymity of the internet lets people be anything they want and often it's a completely false persona. So take your time and get to know someone. Don't rush things. Don't get into intimate conversations. And most importantly, if you get that yucky feeling, don't argue with it! Just quickly retreat from the situation and thank the Lord for His guidance.

Tip #3:A Picture Says a Thousand Words

Looks may not be everything, but in the online dating game, a picture can save you a big headache down the line. If there's not a photo on the website already, always ask for one before setting up a meeting. It confirms what the profile tells you and gives you an idea of what they look like (important to some, not so much to others). If the person balks at this for any reason, don't get involved any further. They're obviously trying to keep something hidden from you, possibly a spouse. How would you feel if you showed a picture of your new beau to someone and they said, "Oh, that's so-and-so's husband." Talk about embarrassing! Caution is key here. Use it in abundance and again, listen for the voice of the Lord.

In part 2 of this series, we'll look at the dos and don'ts of meeting face-to-face.

Jason Whitney is an author and copywriter whose new book "The Christian Singles Guide to Online Dating and Matchmaking" offers an easy-to-follow roadmap to help you find God's perfect partner. To learn more, go to http://www.ChristianDatingMadeEasy.com


MORE RESOURCES:

PsychCentral.com

Does Online Dating Make It Harder to Find 'the One'?
TIME
Why online dating is great for meeting lots of people, but not necessarily the one you want. By Alice Park | @aliceparkny | February 7, 2012 | + Everyone knows someone who met their spouse online. A friend of mine whom I hadn't seen in years told me ...
Online Dating Can Be ImprovedPsychCentral.com
Researchers say dating websites make poor CupidsColumbus Dispatch
Today in Research: Online Dating; Church as Weight-Loss TechniqueThe Atlantic
Reuters -Wall Street Journal (blog) -Washington Post
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Daily Californian

Prevent dating violence in February
Daily Californian
By Anna Johnson February is the commemorative month for Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention. The importance of recognizing and addressing these issues has been highlighted by the recent spattering of high profile domestic violence cases: ...
Cranston Senator Honored for Teen Dating Violence Prevention WorkPatch.com
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month Kicks OffHuffington Post
"Love What's Real" February's National Teen Dating Violence Awareness ...Sun Valley Online.com
Noozhawk -Boston.com
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Daily Mail

Favorite people: Kim Kardashian isn't dating New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez
OregonLive.com
By The Oregonian Those rumors that Kim Kardashian was secretly dating New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez – as if publicity-savvy Kim Kardashian does much of anything in secret – turned out to be just rumors. She also isn't dating New York Giants ...
Kim Kardashian's Latest Resolution – Never Dating Footballers AgainDaily Gossip
Kim Kardashian dating footballer Mark Sanchez?Emirates 24/7
Kim Kardashian has no interest in dating any more football playersamNY
PopBytes (blog) -Daily Mail -24hourhiphop
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New Tech Can Track Where You Look On Dating Sites
WebProNews
Dating sites can be a wealth of information for those looking for that special someone. The looking part is being studied by Tobii to determine what men and women spend their time looking at on dating profiles. Tobii in collaboration with their ...
Tobii Technology AB: How to Catch Your Valentine's Eye: Online Dating Eye ...Business Wire (press release)
How to Catch Your Valentine's Eye: Online Dating Eye-Tracking Study Reveals ...MarketWatch (press release)
Tobii's Eye-Tracking Tech Knows What You're Eyeing on Dating SitesAll Things Digital

all 15 news articles »


PR Web (press release)

Dating Expert's New Report Reveals How To Flirt With Women
PR Web (press release)
All to frequently, men look at dating as an isolated event. In other words, they are either being themselves or they are flirting and they keep these as two separate parts of their personalities,” says Carlos Xuma in a recent report.

and more »


ABC News

Online Dating: Popular and Stigma Is Gone, but Don't Pay for It
ABC News
Ilana Friedman has met some losers using online dating sites -- so many that the New York City singer has created an entire cabaret act around her experiences, called "Kissing Frogs." First there was the 29-year-old her mother found on The JMom.com ...

and more »


PR Web (press release)

U.S. Dating Services Market Worth $2.1 Billion
PR Web (press release)
Marketdata Enterprises, a 33-year old market research firm that has tracked the US dating services market since 1998, has just released a new edition of its market study that analyzes ALL dating services—online and off-line: dating websites, ...



RTT News

Kim Kardashian Says She's Not Dating New York Jets Quarterback
RTT News
"Dating rumors are always fun when you don't even know the people [you're] supposedly linked to. Who makes this stuff up?" Kim wrote to her fans and friends. Kardashian famously married and divorced NBA star Kris Humphries last year taking in millions ...
Kris Humphries Single, But Not Ready to MingleTMZ.com
Weekend Rumor Mill: Kim Kardashian Dating Mark Sanchez, Michael Fassbender ...Hollywire
Report: Kim Kardashian Isn't Dating Mark SanchezExtra TV
KBOI -Hollywood Life
all 316 news articles »


Vanessa Hudgens Talks About Dating, Gives Boys Advice On How To Approach Women
Manila Bulletin
By JANET SUSAN NEPALES LOS ANGELES – “Dating in general is tough,” revealed the lovely 23-year-old Fil-Am actress Vanessa Hudgens when we interviewed her. “It's about finding someone with whom you have the same beliefs with and if you have that and ...

and more »


Consumer officials warn about online dating scams
WRCB-TV
(AP) - State consumer officials are warning about the danger of online dating scammers. They say some fraud artists use online dating as a way to scam people out of their money. Spokesmen say that after a relationship is created, the frauds often ask ...

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