How do you define "single"

[Grace-Like-Rain]

So, where I'm from, pretty much all the churches that are large enough to have a "singles ministry" consider single to mean unmarried, which means dating and even engaged couples are 100% welcome and are fully part of the intended demographic.

Perhaps this is an American thing... "Singles" groups (for church, etc) around here are also for anyone who is not married and settled down. Those programs aren't necessarily for dating. They are support for people who don't have that domestic lifestyle of being married with kids, etc. So people in committed relationships, those who are dating someone, or even engaged people fit in well in "singles groups" at church because they are not co-habitating.

 

[Tintin]

Christmas was amazing Alexis gets here tomorrow she is 16 now sweet sixteen was the 24th
We actually live way far away Alaska is huge
She lives way down south where it's amazing and not as cold
but yeah where I am is like -40 this time of year with 24hour darkness

How was Christmas down under?

Also good news Alexis is staying here for a while kinda issues with her parents but it's okay cause she is happy to come live with us and I don't have siblings so I'm happy
plus she can go to church every week now
She will miss her Dad and brothers I'm sure but she is excited
also just to be clear she didn't do anything bad it is over an issue with her stepmom

Anyways my Mom is awesome and my Dad is too and he's Lexi's real Mom's brother
so it's good news for everyone besides Alexis' Dad who I think is sad
well and her little brothers but they are better off not being around the fighting my Dad says

I don't really know actually what's best but I am totally happy to gain an awesome roommate

Thanks, Buckets. I'm sorry to hear that about Alexis but I'm very happy that you'll get to catchup soon. I had a great Christmas, thanks. Where I live in South Australia, the weather was rather warm - 35 degrees Celsius. Had some lovely food and fun with my family and some of the relatives, especially my cousin's kids. Say Hi to Alexis and Happy Birthday from us all at CC. Thanks for sharing. I'll be praying for you girls.

 

[Shouryu]

I was in a committed relationship for six and a half years...and the seven times I filed my income taxes during that time, the government of the United State of America classified my status as SINGLE.

And what Gracie says is true: most church Singles ministries are specifically aimed at people who ARE UNMARRIED, because the people within that singles ministry often date each other, when people date and breakup, then it's a constant revolving door...you're in the group, out of the group, in the group, out of the group.

I have, several times in my life, labelled myself as "single, but out of the game." I used that last bit as a clarifier to let people know that while I wasn't attached to anyone, I was not available, either.

 

[ww_21]

Single... is when you are not in a relationship AND you are not emotionally attached to anyone. You could be out of a relationship but madly in love with someone which does not make you single.

 

[FireWire]

I was in a committed relationship for six and a half years...and the seven times I filed my income taxes during that time, the government of the United State of America classified my status as SINGLE.

And what Gracie says is true: most church Singles ministries are specifically aimed at people who ARE UNMARRIED, because the people within that singles ministry often date each other, when people date and breakup, then it's a constant revolving door...you're in the group, out of the group, in the group, out of the group.

I have, several times in my life, labelled myself as "single, but out of the game." I used that last bit as a clarifier to let people know that while I wasn't attached to anyone, I was not available, either.

That's as far as tax law goes.

What of those Christians who are living together, not married and have split-up? If it happened here after three years they would have to split the total assets as if they were married. Are they single under relationship and property law (as it is here)? No I don't think so.

Tax law is a bit different from marriage and relationship laws.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Genesis 2:24:
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."


...until that happens^^^, there are different degrees of single..

1) Single and available

2) Single but taken (engaged, 'going steady" with someone)

3) Single and NOT available (go away don't bother me!)

 

[maxwel]

Gentlemen,

If you think you are still single, but you aren't quite sure...

ask your girlfriend.

: )

 

[secularhermit]

A divorced, a lonely person who is childless or a social hermit?

 

[Tintin]

I'm sure this thread had more activity.

 

[Pipp]

I've always counted single as not in a relationship

 

[Praus]

Prov 18:1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.

 

[kayem77]

Single



Not Single

 

[Donkeyfish07]

Single = Your not in a committed relationship and available to date anyone you see fit. Doesn't necessarily mean you aren't talking to anyone. That's just my personal definition.

 

[IloveyouGod]

hahaha, that's a good one!!

 

[IloveyouGod]

In Canada, if you're filling legal documents and you're asked for your marital status, the options are
Single
Married
Common law (which I completely dislike)
So Single here simply means that you're not married, regardless if you're engaged or dating

However, if we use the word Single casually, it will mean that you are not in a relationship and that you are available. IF you are engaged or dating, you wouldn't call yourself Single, you'll say I'm engaged or I'm in a relationship or I have a boyfriend or girlfriend or I live common law

So depending on when and how you use it. I actually find our definition to be accurate.

 

[GaryA]

There seems to be two generally-accepted definitions for 'single' - the first in terms of 'marital status' and the other in terms of 'relationship status'.

Based on 'marital status', it simply means "never been married"... ( Once married, you are never again considered to be 'single'. )

Based on 'relationship status', it means - un-attached, un-coupled, un-paired, etc. Where-the-line-is-drawn is at the point of being 'steady' ( a not-used-much-anymore word from way-back-when that essentially means "dedicated to each other" - as in - "not seeing anyone else" ) or 'engaged' ( or, of course, 'married' ). In this case, 'single' means "not dedicated" or "not committed"... ( You can be dating while single if you are not committed; while committed, you are not considered to be 'single'. )


The idea of 'courting' is automatically, by definition, 'steady' - which means that, while 'courting':

In the 'marital status' sense, you would still be considered 'single' - until and unless you became 'engaged' or 'married'.

In the 'relationship status' sense, you would not be considered 'single'.

"go figure..."

 

[fourleaf]

Single is a person...

-Who is not committed in a relationship. Who is seeking or not seeking a relationship with opposite gender. Who spends time mostly alone, with friends or families. Who isn't celebrating daysary, weeksary, monthsary, and aniversary with one special person.


A single person may sometimes feel lonely or sad during special occasions like Heart's day, Birthday, Christmas and a long summer vacation during Holy week. But if a single person enjoys this occasions with friends and families then he wouldn't be counted as lonely or sad.


A single person may be the happiest or the loneliest person he can think of based on how he is handling/embracing the life of singleness.

 

[TheAristocat]

Single = Someone who isn't in a romantic relationship. Someone who's available.

Yep. I think you can casually date. For example, blind date... pick a friend to go to the movies with, etc. But single means not married, engaged or otherwise going steady with someone. Completely available.

 

[TaylorTG]

@Fourleaf
Well, I feel that being single should, under regular circumstances, be considered as a happy and stress free state.

Single is a person...
#1
A single person may sometimes feel lonely or sad during special occasions like Heart's day, Birthday, Christmas and a long summer vacation during Holy week. But if a single person enjoys this occasions with friends and families then he wouldn't be counted as lonely or sad.
#2
A single person may be the happiest or the loneliest person he can think of based on how he is handling/embracing the life of singleness.

#1
Exactly, the one who is single may still enjoy special occasions to the fullest with family and friends. Family is much more important than one girl.

#2
When we're single, we would harbor less stress because we wouldn't have to waste most of our time with just one girl, and instead do more productive things such as studying for a test and taking care of our sick relatives.

---

I'll define 'single' as a state in which the person does not need to burden himself and his allowance with just one human being, instead using his money and time to benefit the whole community.

 

[fourleaf]

Single means free, yes! FREE!!

TaylorTG, you have a cool statement, keep it up.