With all kindness, I disagree with you! I think dating Is perfectly fine before marriage, it is a great way to get to know the person that could potentially be your life mate!
I believe that dating, in today's society, has lost it's original purpose. People go on dates now to have fun or a good time which is not the purpose! Dating is designed for a person to go out with some one they plan on pursuing a future with, not something you do just to do for the fun of it.
I also believe that when you do go out on a date you have an individual there to keep you accountable for you actions, because it is easy to fall into temptation no matter how strong you think you are.
-ray
EDIT: Sorry blue_ladybug, just saw your next post. You added "much" into there. lol
Ha Ha Ha, ray you remind me when I was just a young girl, I used to tell myself when the time for marriage come I will accept every proposal but I will select only who answer correct my questions. If you want to know your future spouse why don't you do an interview with them rather than going out while knowing in your mind that she is your girlfriend who she is in probation period, then three month is fine to put a ring on her finger, otherwise you are wasting her time. What else do you want to know from her, read 1corinthians 13, at least this line change my whole thought about marriage.
In my office there was a guy, since I started to attend the office seemed attracted to me but I was totally like no he might be the wrong guy. One day he wanted to take me some snaps, I think for facebook may be and I said no don't take me any photo( I never told him that I was into him, instead I ignore his request and treat him as good as other co workers), then I ask why are you late to marry, he replied, because I was "waiting for you", I laughed at his words and told him you are a liar, If you really wanted to marry you could have married and stop using me as an excuse. I feel inside me that his answer was wrong he should probably think than answering a well known phrase. For he should have said that, I did not get a person to marry, once I saw you I knew you are my destiny and prayed to meet you.