Christian Dating
The expansion of the online dating world has seen a tremendous growth in niche sites. In essence, these sites are a ready-made “advanced search” option. Perhaps the most popular of these are religion-focused dating sites – and these vary in detail. From the large such as the active BigChurch and CatholicMingle, to the smaller but more focused ChristianCafe and SingleC, there’s a diversity among the sites that serves every possible Christian relationship goal. Unrealized by many, eHarmony is the largest Christian-driven dating site and, though it no longer prominently conveys this, Christian principles are still what drive the site.
BigChurch.com
For sites that wear the religious aspect on their sleeves, BigChurch.com is the most prominent, boasting more than 500,000 members. A fundamental aspect of Christian dating sites is community, and this is where BigChurch – a FriendFinder network affiliated site – stands out. Active message forums and chat rooms, with focuses such as “Congregation” or “Retreat.” The site boasts FriendFinder’s usual ease of navigation and active membership, though that this Christian site’s owners also operate casual sex and alternative lifestyle sites turns off some people.
ChristianCafe.com
ChristianCafe.com is the Christian site most likely to expand rapidly. Featuring revealing, in-depth profiles, a powerful search engine and growing Christian chat rooms, the site’s full-feature 10-day free trial presents the perfect reason for Christian-focused singles to see what there is to offer. The site boasts that it is run by Christians, featuring a section that specifically differentiates itself from BigChurch and the sites it’s affiliated with.
SingleC.com
Small but significant is SingleC.com, the Single Christian Network. Formed in 1991 and boasting about 65,000 current members, this site is the most dedicated Christian dating site out there. Scripture discussions are prevalent and the membership provides detailed profiles with real insight to their beliefs. All profiles are screened and the site takes its mission very seriously.
CatholicMingle.com
The other main dating site operator, Spark Network, handles CatholicMingle.com. While CatholicMingle doesn’t offer as much targeted content toward Christians, the site’s membership makes up for this with an active membership and the absence of any option other than a Christian designation in your profile (whereas on BigChurch, for example, you can be a non-Catholic and have no problem registering). But it’s the community sense common in most religious-based sites that’s really common here, exemplified primarily by the fact that many members stay members even after being matched.
EHarmony
It doesn’t say so, but EHarmony is a religious-based site. Founded by Evangelical Christian Dr. Neil Clarke Warren, he fully admitted then that the site, and its “dimensions of compatibility” were derived from religious beliefs. The site expanded by virtue of fellow Evangelical James Dobson’s “Focus on Family” program. While EHarmony has expanded its horizons and boasts that people from different religious backgrounds participate on the site, there are many factors – such as the lack of same-sex matching options – that suggest the site remains Christian driven. But despite the ubiquitous ads, you would never know it.
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