Dear Editor,
Jacqui Wright makes some good observations on Commitment (en October 2015) Here are some more:
On the widest definition, practising Christians are about ten per cent of the British population. In small communities, and in the relevant age groups, it feels closer to one per cent. Finding a suitable partner is difficult for most people, and impossible for some, even on the most realistic and pragmatic criteria. Fifteen-year age gaps are a strong predictor of disaster; likewise ‘school leaver meets PhD’ or ‘vegan meets butcher’.
There are still inquisitive and talkative old dears (of both sexes) who assume that, if two young people apparently of opposite sexes sit together for two consecutive Sundays, they must be engaged. This makes the normal and natural development of relationships very difficult.
Finding a partner involves trial and error. Many, perhaps most, relationships will end. In the secular world, young people are expected to behave badly, ‘all’s fair in love and war’, and you can avoid one another, or ‘act like we never have met’, to quote an old song. Christians try to behave better, and in a small community may have to meet every Sunday and Wednesday. What can you do if you have been going out with your pastor’s daughter for six months, and it just isn’t working? Discuss. You can see why some people are cautious.
Regards,
