Using the promotional phrase "God is your best matchmaker," a Christian website is hoping to take business away from online dating services by providing singles help with "biblically based courtship."
Joined in Jesus describes itself as "a private Christian social club" that offers members relief from "the baggage and pain involved in the 'dating game.'" Organizers of the site, who deride traditional dating, see their service as unique since it focuses on courtship.
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States a page on the site pitching membership: "As we all know, dating, by its very nature, and true to its definition, is centered on the idea of short-term, experimental, less than fully committed, and generally sex-based relationships. This is completely opposite what God has intended and planned for us. God wants you to be happy and find the right partner, don't you?"
The site criticizes other online services that claim to be Christian, saying many are "not based on the unerring word of God."
While the site offers profiles of members similar to a dating site, it emphasizes that the ultimate goal of the courtship model is marriage.
"We planted our roots in the ideals of days long past when the word 'courtship' really meant something and the concept of 'dating' just simply didn't exist," says a statement on the site. "Joined In Jesus allows you to develop new friendships, fellowship partners and locate courtship candidates for long-term, committed marriages anchored in the teachings of Jesus Christ."
Besides being a resource for singles, the site hopes to offer ways for anyone to meet friends, establish pen pals, find other couples with like interests or even find a new church.
Each member profile includes a description of the type of person the single is looking for along with an explanation of "how/when you were first saved by Christ."
One member, going by the username harmonyz, is pictured squatting against a wall wearing black go-go boots.
"Jesus defines who I am, I hang onto mercy every day," explains the 40-year-old woman in her profile. "I am a passionate woman who is sold out for Jesus. I believe in the fairy tale as long as Jesus is what you build on."
While a membership in the club is currently free, the site eventually will be charging up to $99.95 for a 12-month subscription.