I find it very sad when Christians put their opinions over scripture. Some examples.

So many times Christians think god will lead them to their spouse. There is nothing in the bible to support this. In fact god makes it clear you decide who you marry.

"This is what the LORD commands for Zelophehad’s daughters: They may marry anyone they please as long as they marry within their father’s tribal clan" Numbers 36:6

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:39

I've talked to Christian couples who would not kiss, hug, hold hands, no one on one dating. They said they were making themselves pure and holy before they got married, so god would bless their marriage. There is nothing in the bible to support this. Paul even said.....But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 1 Corinthians 7:9 .

This goes along with Deuteronomy 22:28-29 "“Suppose a man has intercourse with a young woman who is a virgin but is not engaged to be married. If they are discovered, "......they were to get married.

Being pure before marriage means not doing anything sexual. I agree kissing (no tongue), hugging, and holding hands are not sexual. This expectation of not even hugging, handing hands, kissing, etc. may actually be the result of patriarchy. Guys ideally want to be girl's first in everything, and that includes kissing, hugging, hand holding etc. They are the ones who actually set the bar high, and women had to follow this (and even now in some circles) if they want to be marriageable. It is not the other way around - the desire to the guy's first is not as strong or even nonexistent.

In some places, if a man sees a woman's ankle or hair, she is considered not pure.

There is nothing in the bible that says, if you date a certain way, god would bless your marriage. Even if you had sex before marriage, it doesn't mean god would do anything in your marriage.

I had a discussion with one of the pastor's of the church about the book of Jonah. I mentioned Jonah never repented. He said Jonah did repent. we went back and forth on this. A couple of weeks later, to his credit, he came back and apologized. He told me I was right Jonah did not repent. Another time I was talking to a church elder, about Samanul, and mentioned a story about Hannah (his mother). He said, "who's Hannah"? I started wondering what book are these people reading? I saddened to think, I was talking to leaders in the church who should have known this.

Because the Bible doesn’t specifically state the word repent …you determined he didn’t

So, aren’t you reading into the Word just as much as the Pastor did? Actually, the Pastor had more ground to stand on than you do.

Sometimes God doesn’t have much to work with …like when He called me. And I can tell you, in the past, I have had my Jonah moments with God.

Matthew 5:19 (ESV)
Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

There were people in the Bible that were led to their spouse, correct? That doesn't necessarily mean it happens that way with every couple.

A woman's purity was very important in those times. She would have cherished it and been very careful not to lose it.

I would agree with that, but I believe that depends on the repentance and attitude of the couple. Sex before marriage makes things more difficult in a relationship, not easier.

This seems to indicate that Jonah did repent ------so I say ------many Christians don't do their research good enough and just spout out what they think they are reading -----this gives the scripture to back up their view ---

Read all here ----I just posted this ----

https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/jonah-2/#top

Jonah in the fish.
4. (8-9) Jonah declares his commitment to God.
“Those who regard worthless idols
Forsake their own Mercy.
But I will sacrifice to You
With the voice of thanksgiving;
I will pay what I have vowed.
Salvation is of the LORD.”

a. Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy:
Jonah realized that resisting God, running from Him, was like being an idolater.

b. But I will sacrifice to You:
Jonah repented from running away from God, and he turned to God with sacrifice and thanksgiving. He promised to pay his vows to God, and do whatever God told him to do,

c. Salvation is of the LORD: This was more than a statement of fact; it was Jonah’s triumphant declaration.

God had saved and would save, and Jonah meant it personally. Jonah’s salvation is of the LORD.

i. Jonah knows this in the close-up picture; he knew that his salvation is of the LORD. He also now knew it in the big picture; that salvation is not of a nation or a race or a language. Salvation is not of man at all; salvation is of the LORD.

d. At the end of Jonah 2:9 it is clear that Jonah has repented, but we might wonder when did Jonah repent?

Jonah showed several marks of true repentance.
·
Jonah proclaimed his fear of the LORD and he was honest about his sin and rebellion, no longer covering it up (Jonah 1:9).
·
Jonah allowed himself to be cast into the sea (Jonah 1:12).
·
Jonah began to pray; he called out to God during the three days and three nights in the belly of the fish (Jonah 2:2, 2:4, and 2:7).
·
Jonah had a new heart of gratitude (Jonah 2:9).

· Jonah renewed the commitment to his vow (Jonah 2:9).

· Jonah gave glory to God in all of this (Jonah 2:9).

i. In all this we see repentance as more than a one-time event. Though it begins at one time, it must continue and mature. Repentance is an event, but it is also a process.

"This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. 2So he complained to the LORD about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. 3Just kill me now, LORD! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” .......
Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”
“Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!” Jonah 4.......Jonah never repented of his anger for what god did.

Jonah hated what god did and never repented of it.

That depends on the couple, not that god did not bless or not bless them.

That was their culture. god never required it for marriage.

Jonah never repented of his anger over what god did. He spoke that truth about god, but that's not repenting.

God never required no sex before marriage?? It was their culture because they followed God's precepts.

That is just false doctrine ---and your worldly opinion ------your reading scripture through the wrong lens -----your doing what your Thread Title says -------

I find it very sad when Christians put their opinions over scripture