Several letters, E-mails and telephone calls came in response to the article "Courting Compromise: Myths About Dating Outside the Church" in the May issue of United News, page 16.
Several letters, E-mails and telephone calls came in response to the article "Courting Compromise: Myths About Dating Outside the Church " in the May issue of United News, page 16.
To the Married
A number of those who responded pointed out that the article could be seen as offensive and "devoid of sympathy" for those who are already married, especially the many mates who attend United Church of God services but who are not baptized.
We are truly sorry that the article came across that way to some who are already married. As managing editor, my heart goes out to those who felt offended by the article. Those who are already married are in a much different situation than those the article was addressed to. Those mates who are attending church, interested in reading the literature, perhaps considering baptism, are certainly in a much different situation.
We did run a "Q&A" in the same May issue that was more directly to those who are already married (page 18). For this different audience and situation, a much different approach is called for.
We respect and honor all who choose to attend services with us, and we give our sincere apology to any nonmember mate for any unintentional offense this article may have caused.
To the Unmarried
The article was written and intended for those not yet married, and the author was trying to approach the subject in a straightforward way to reach those not yet married who had some of those questions.
Though the approach was straightforward and pulled no punches, its underlying teaching is based on the "Marrying Outside the Faith Church Policy Paper" approved by the Council of Elders in January 1998.
The full text of the paper can be read or downloaded from the study papers page of the United Web site at www.ucg.org/papers .
The Q&A included here addresses another question we received in response to the article, and covers several elements of the policy paper as well.
A related personal story shared by a young person in the Church also appeared in the October-December 2002 Youth United E-magazine. You can find this touching, interesting article, "One, but Not the Same," on the Web at http://www.verticalthought.org/issues/ym09/same.htm UN
