Catching the Love Bug… Online!

I’m happily married, out of the dating scene for more than 30 years. But since the Internet came along, I’ve wondered about those online dating services. Especially the one that created the category.

eHarmony. Founded in 2000 by an evangelical Christian, Dr. Neil Clark Warren. His vision? Create a reliable system to help singles find compatible mates, leading to long-term, successful marriages.    https://www.eharmony.com/about/eharmony/

The foundation for eHarmony started earlier.

Dr. Warren spent 35 years practicing as a clinical psychologist, counseling thousands of married couples. His book, Finding the Love of Your Life, was eventually published by Focus on the Family. The book alone didn’t fulfill the title’s promise. People were left frustrated, needing solutions. Dr. Warren was left with opportunity.

With encouragement from Dr. James Dobson, Dr. Warren started Neil Clark Warren and Associates. Providing churches with the materials they needed to help people select the right marriage partners. Seminars followed, using those materials and the video “How to Know if Someone is Worth Pursuing in Two Dates or Less.”     https://web.archive.org/web/20040225142236/http://www.family.org/married/youngcouples/a0021741.cfm

An online matching service may have seemed like the next logical step.

eHarmony was founded in 2000, the first algorithm-based dating service. Dr. Warren considered it a relationship service, since his focus was on helping couples connect for the long-haul. His extensive clinical experience had shown him the most fruitful marriages involved highly compatible people.

So why not create a research-based way to help people find those compatibilities?

After 3 years of research and development, Dr. Warren concluded that certain characteristics can predict compatibility and lead to more satisfying relationships. eHarmony’s patented Compatibility Matching System was born. A 450-question assessment based on 29 dimensions of compatibility served as the basis for the matches.

Wikipedia reports that, as of 2017, eHarmony had 750,000 paid subscribers and 10 million active users. In 2009, the company’s cumulative revenue exceeded $1.0 billion, with annual income at about $250 million.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EHarmony

When asked if eHarmony was an exclusively Chirstian organization, Dr. Warren said “No, but it might as well be. Sometimes nonChristians need Christian efforts like this one as much as or more than Christians. We don’t keep anybody away, but we’re about 85 percent evangelical Christian.”   https://web.archive.org/web/20040225142236/http://www.family.org/married/youngcouples/a0021741.cfm

Although I’m not in the dating market, I found a treasure chest of resources for those who are. Even for parents and grandparents who would like to help advise their children and grandchildren who are of dating age. These resources are free, and accessible to anyone (membership not required). Check them out! Here are just a few…

Finding a spiritually compatible partner.  https://www.eharmony.com/dating-advice/dating/christian-dating-tips-for-finding-a-spiritually-compatible-partner/

Setting your expectations.  https://www.eharmony.com/dating-advice/dating/christian-singles-and-dating-setting-your-expectations/

10 questions to ask when it starts getting serious. https://www.eharmony.com/dating-advice/relationships/10-questions-to-ask-when-it-starts-to-get-serious/

8 tactics for catching a liar on a first date. (This could also apply to a first meeting with a business associate).    https://www.eharmony.com/dating-advice/dating-advice-for-you/how-to-tell-if-your-date-is-lying/

Unfortunately, there’s a BUT coming. Tune in again Wednesday for eHarmony’s Persecution Post Script. But meanwhile…

What do you think?

Can you guess how opposition came against eHarmony?

Please post your comments below.

Diana Furr, a.k.a. Abba’s Girl

This blog may have raised questions for you. If you’d like to connect, engage, or get further help from me, you can…  EMAIL me at [email protected]; CALL me at 863-446-1660; or request a complimentary initial CONSULT with me at  http://tinyurl.com/DianaFurr.

4 Comments

  • Debbie L says:

    Ah, nice to know the back story! I have a few relatives and friends who’ve met and married this way. I’m grateful I was able to count on the ultimate match maker, our Heavenly Father! Bill and I still marvel how God brought us together, a yankee and a southern but very lost bell!
    In these times of isolation and so few places to meet like-minded believers. I always suggest start in your church, church activities and especially multi church gatherings. But that still may be lacking a bit. Sad but true.

    • Diana Furr says:

      Yes, Debbie. Your (and Bill’s) marital journey has truly been a miracle. Such an encouragement and inspiration to all who hear it! Meeting someone at Church is certainly better than a nightclub or bar, but still requires much discernment. Might be easy to make assumptions that prove inaccurate when tested by time. Once two people meet, isn’t the most important step forward to take the time to really get to know each other… while staying free of physical entanglements, so the mind and heart can think clearly? Can I get an AMEN?! 🙂

      • Debbie L says:

        Oh yes, AMEN!!! We were in a ministry when we met and that was their counsel! Actually I met a man there who proposed to many of us-he was there just to find a wife to take back home to his “ranch.” Our Elders spotted it finally and he was asked to leave. But guess what he did? Donated his ranch to the ministry after he realized they were on to his “motives.” I don’t know the rest of the story. Curious now….

        • Diana Furr says:

          Wow. Great example of why we all need to be discerning… even about the motives behind another’s “generosity” (and whatever access they might be seeking as a result of it).

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