Surfing for Your Soulmate

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Catholic

Catholic Singles
http://www.catholicsingles.com
Catholic Singles claims to be the largest Catholic singles site online, with 18,000 members. The site offers chats, personal e-mail accounts, and social events. Most of the member information is generic, but there are a few Catholic-specific questions, such as level of church attendance and whether any previous marriages were annulled.
For: Catholics who are "serious about their faith and values."
Success stories: Many marriages and relationships.
Fees: The first three months are free. After that, users pay a fee of $8.95 a month. Always free for seniors over 60.
Screens out other religions? The site assumes users are Catholic, but it doesn't necessarily prohibit those who aren't from participating.
Goal: Friendship and dating.
Special feature: The site donates a portion of monthly memberships to Catholic Charities USA.

Ave Maria Singles
http://www.avemariasingles.com
This "reason for hope" among practicing Catholic singles claims 3,000 members from across the U.S. The member questionnaire is perhaps the most detailed religious analysis of any singles site on the web. Members must describe their religious background, whether they're a convert (and from what Protestant denomination), which Catholic publications they read or subscribe to, preferred liturgical expression, whether or not they are an Eastern Rite Catholic. Also asked: preferred Catholic devotions, including favorite charity, favorite scripture passage, favorite saint, etc., and essay questions on members' "views and/or experience on devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary," "thoughts about the sacrament of Confession," "thoughts and beliefs about the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist," and "what being a Catholic means to you."
For: Committed, observant Catholics.
Success stories: Dozens of marriages and engagements.
Fees: Yearly membership is $60. Unlike most other singles sites, there is no trial membership period. Discount for college students.
Goal: Marriage. The site wants to "establish strong Catholic marriages and families to rebuild our culture."
Screens out other religions? Not specifically, but the site stresses it is only for very committed Catholics. The site asks non-Catholics to explain why they want to participate in a Catholic forum.
Special feature: In addition to many other religious questions, members are asked to provide their views on Catholic social issues such as abortion and contraception.

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Mormon

LDS Singles
http://www.ldssingles.com
LDS Singles claims membership of more than 87,000 singles. The member questionnaire includes questions about church attendance, church endowment, missionary status, and community service work.
For: Single Latter-day Saints.
Success stories: Dozens of weddings, all archived by year with photos.
Fees: Free trial membership. After that, it's $10 a month.
Screens out other religions? No, but the site assumes its members are Mormon.
Goal: Meeting new people.
Special feature: Offers an apartment finder on the site.

Singlesaints.com
http://www.singlesaints.com
Singlesaints is much like LDS Singles but is geared toward younger Latter-day Saints. It uses fun language and offers a humor column and free tickets to events the site sponsors.
For: Single Latter-day Saints.
Fees: $5 a month, $40 a year. $60 buys a lifetime social membership, which is valid until marriage.
Screens out other religions? Yes. Users must agree to a legal disclaimer certifying that "I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
Goal: Dating and marriage.
Special feature: Users can search for potential mates based on whether they are a returned missionary.

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