i guess this is a good topic. but since i am young, i cannot give my views.. waiting for experienced persons' answers :)

I put that as the title because I REALLY want to share my story of how I met my husband online. Sure, internet dating is dangerous...and risky...falling in love is risky!! The MAIN thing to do is get close to GOD and He will tell you what to do. I didn't REALLY date my husband. It was more a courtship.

SO, THIS IS FOR CHAD!! I have already shared my story which is a website that might link to a website that has ads on it...BUT I can share it with you, Chad and then post it OR I can have those who want to know, PM me.

Tell me what I should do!! :-D I like people to know that there ARE good descent people and being scared of dating on the internet is GOOD, BUT not so scared that you miss the person God has for you.

ok...*steps off of soapbox*


Shew...I hope people know I freaked my mom out about this whole internet dating thing until she met my now husband :-D OH!! I was 21 when I met my husband. I was 23 when we married.

~Jen~ (errrrr G4G hehe)


P.S. LOL This is the second time I edited this, BUT I wanted to say something. Having the mindset, I'm going to search for a mate online is the WRONG kind of mindset to have. I did not do that. After one bad online date thing, I just said okay God if I am to get married, You'll let it happen. I'm not going to search anymore and I gave that up to God. I put THAT on the altar. After I went after God and laid it all down, I went into a Christian chatroom and soon after found my husband! ;-) Not that it happens like that for everyone. It is ALL about what is your focus. Since I was focused on God, He showed me the way and opened up the door. If I had been focused on guys, guys, and more guys, I wouldn't have had the right attitude or focus and I believe I would never have found my husband. We both give God the glory for helping us find each other. And did we ever pray! :-D For each other for what was happening, etc.

I can't say no exactly and I can't say yes. One of our widowed cousins married a woman he met on line and it has worked very well these past four years they have been married. But both were mature Christians whose spouses had died.

I think that any kind of Internet exchange should include a great amount of caution. And I would never encourage someone moving quickly into a serious relationship with someone they had met on the Internet.

People can say anything they want and pretend to be anyone they want on the Internet. I had a bad experience with a penpal I had met on a Christian forum in that she was pretending to be someone she wasn't. And when I realized that she had lied to me over and over again it was very disheartening and this was just a friend.

I prefer the traditional way of getting acquainted, that is, face to face through church, organizations, mutual friends, work, etc. and even then with caution for those who are not married and searching.

Proverbs 12:26a "A righteous man is cautious in friendship..."

mourning dove...

I am divorced and not dating.
I haven't tried internet dating and I don't really feel the need for it at this time in my life.
I'm actually not searching for a 'soul mate' though, I'm trying to focus on me and God right now.
Will I ever date? Probably. Get married? Who knows?
Rather than think upon those things, I am devoting myself at this time in my life to my children, my family, my friends. I'd much rather have a relationship come out of a friendship than someone I've never met before.
But that's just me.

I like having friends online, but dating is a different thing... its sort of fun but not safe... im not against it, yet im not totally for it. like if given a choice, i think the traditional way is more exciting... and ur right, it doesnt mean its Christian, its God's will... ive always loved the story of rebekah and isaac... and i long for a story like that, totally God's will.

We have this funny line at church whenever we have a new crush or something... (and i think it will defile the necessity of online dating)... we always say, "IF IT'S GOD'S WILL, IT'S GOD'S WILL." you know,we dont need to look for it. HE will BRING IT.
(even if takes us to water a camel,lolz)

Yes, Internet dating can be dangerous, but Hey! I met my husband on an internet dating site! And 4 years down the line we are STILL happily married and have 2 beautiful children.

The one thing I liked about internet dating is that you can learn a lot about a person before you have to meet them. And the liars usually lied themselves into a corner very quickly.

To answer the questions asked:
Low self esteem, are they hiding something ? Not at all... it's a lot easier than going on a million blind dates
How long do these relationships last ? Ours is still going strong
How many relationships do they form in 6mths ? I only ever had relationships with 2 men I met online. One turned out to be married with children!
How many turn into marriages ? ?
What is the divorce rate among these marriages ? ?
Is online dating addictive ? I think it can be yes.
Most importantly, am I emotionally fit for online dating ? Only you would know.

I'd say the biggest thing is to keep close to God and let Him be your focus in life, not finding a mate. But I see nothing wrong with putting yourself out there.