Dating & Divorce

I have a question. A lady has expressed interest in dating me. We have had lunch a few times as I decided to learn more about her. I was shocked to find out that she has not finalized her divorce for 10 yrs. standing; she dates, but that is on her. She is in the process of finalizing her papers now...and I have confirmed this; my question is, is it "ok" to date?

No .

No.!!!!!!!!!!

She's been separated from the guy for 10 years.. While not "officially" divorced, it basically is.. God doesn't like divorce but we do that anyway... God tells us if we date/marry again after a divorce we're committing adultery.. So if you date her now or after the divorce, it's pretty much adultery either way.. unless she was abused or cheated on in the last marriage.. Honestly, if you like her enough and want to pursue a relationship, and feel it's okay, I think you should go for it.. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.. It doesn't matter what we say on here.. If God doesn't want you to date her, He will let you know.. Maybe God will bless the relationship... Dating as a Christian is basically having a friendship anyway.. so as long as you keep it G-rated I'm sure it will be fine..

Where in The Bible does it state that God does not like divorce? If this is the case, how did it come into practice?

"'I hate divorce,' says the LORD God of Israel" -Malachi 2:1

I was just about to quote Mal 2:16.. but I'll go to the part that I meant in my previous message,

Matthew 5:31-32 -
It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

BUT I have seen God bless many post-marital relationships.. With how common divorce is today, I think God will understand pursuing relationships after divorces.. Don't shun her just because she's going through a divorce.. If you like her, take her out on a date..

I agree,she is still married and until she makes the divorce final,I wouldn't date her.

Thank you for all the great input: It was a case of marital unfaithfulness on the husband's part. At one point, I did "shun" her because I feel that she is still married. However, she does not conduct herself as a married person--meaning that she has a separate life from her husband. The papers are filed and I have expressed for her to take care of her legal matters. I am torn between leaving her alone all together and offering her a listening ear. In terms of dating, if you deem having lunch a date--then, that has happened. However, I was a bit confused as to how I felt when she expressed an interest.

The best relationships are born out of friendships.. If you feel strongly enough to avoid dating her until she is divorced, then I would say, be a friend to her instead.. Avoiding her completely is just being a jerk.. And you should tell her what your intentions are.. "I don't feel comfortable dating you until you are divorced, but I'm happy to be a friend for you in the mean time" or something like that..

I did that...which seemed to fuel the heavy flirtation.