Is Christian online dating for you?

If the phrase "Christian online dating" sounds like an oxymoron, think again. Christian online dating has come of age, with generalist dating sites offering Christian communities, and dedicated Christian dating sites joining the mainstream.

Christian online dating networks are a great way to meet singles who share and support your faith, traditions and values. Here are some of the benefits from using a Christian online dating service:

More ways to meet

Christian dating sites make it easier than ever before to connect with like minded individuals who share your faith and value system.  You could also turn to Christian interest groups or faith-based organizations in your local parish. However, they are unlikely to offer the same scale or privacy as online dating sites. Online, you can search through thousands of profile in your neighbourhood or countrywide. For example, Match.com, a global online dating service, has over 20 million members according to Wikipedia.

The easiest way to find the perfect match

Match-making tools help you focus your search on people who share the same likes, dislikes and aspirations. Often, the best matching profiles are shown first. This makes it easier than ever before to find someone who ticks all the boxes. For example, you could focus your search only on regular churchgoers or people who engage in faith-based activities if religion plays an important part in your life. Alternatively, you could focus your search around other lifestyle choices, such as smoking, fitness or children.

A safe and secure way to meet fresh faces

Dating sites are a fantastic way to meet new people from the comfort of your own home. Most services allow you to interact online for as long as you like without having to disclose your identity. Typical features include private messaging between members, chat rooms where you can engage in one-on-one or group discussions and bulletin boards. This means you can stay anonymous online and share your personal details only with people you trust and are comfortable with.

As always, the usual precautions apply. Make sure you talk to your date before meeting in person, on the phone or face-to-face. Platforms such as Skype, Google Voice or Apple FaceTime are fantastic ways to chat in person from the comfort of your home. On the day, arrange to meet in a public space in broad daylight.

If you’d like to give it a go, you could join either a generalist dating site with a Christian community, or try a specialist service only for Christians. Ask your friends or family if they have recommendations or advice – alternatively, you could search Google for online dating site reviews to help choose the best possible service.

This article was written by Matt Hunt from MrRight.com.au, the only Christian dating site in Australia where women choose who can contact them and men compete for their attention.