This week’s dilemma comes from James.  He’s a young Catholic man, and he holds to the views of the Catholic church about contraception. He doesn’t believe in using it, and he wants to leave the possibility of children in God’s hands entirely.

Here’s the dilemma – he’s single, and is starting to think about who he would date and eventually marry. He’s unsure of what approach he should take, if he meets someone from a different denomination that does allow contraception.

• Is it wrong for James to pursue a relationship with someone of a different church background, knowing that issue may cause disagreement later?

• How early in a dating relationship, should you raise these kinds of things? On the first or second date, when you’re just getting to know each other? Or further along, when you may already have developed a deeper attachment?

• To what degree should you even expect to find a partner with all your specific religious convictions? Should you trust God, and wait for someone just right? Or should singles be a little more flexible?

• When it comes to interdenominational relationships, what religious matters matter and which ones don’t?

• James wants to know, if he does marry a woman who chooses to use contraception, should he feel responsible anyway? Or should she be free to live by her own convictions in that?

• If you are Catholic, is contraception a no-compromise issue for you?