I was dating a Muslim who knew nothing about his faith for 8 months. It was absolutely torture because he kept pushing me into greater and greater sins until I finally got so fed up with it, I wasn't in love with him anymore, and I broke up with him. I am no longer angry about what he forced me to do, partially because I know it was my fault I didn't have the courage to say no until I broke up with him, and also partially because God has forgiven me of those sins. I would say from experience, dating outside the doors of the Church is a BAD idea.
I consider marriage to be something sacred; the graces given by God are given because marriage is difficult, and therefore needs God's graces in order to even work. The couple must depend on Jesus. If not, the marriage will collapse. There is always room for forgiveness, but it is difficult to heal a broken relationship, especially one so intimately connected as marriage. This is why I am going to pick my husband with extreme caution. I believe marriage is a lifelong covenant, and I do not want to be unevenly yoked. The divorce rate is at 50% and I
don't want to add to the statistic someday. Only the man who loves Jesus more than life itself, more than mankind, could possibly be my husband.
I have yet to meet anyone like that, but I hope in Jesus, and if it should be God's will I should be married, I'll find that man.
