In the provided materials, the main focus is on the distinction between initial, pure infatuation and what is called true love, which is based on high values and a mature approach.

Infatuation Versus True Love: High Values in Human Relationships

In the provided materials, the main focus is on the distinction between initial, pure infatuation and what is called true love, which is based on high values and a mature approach. None of the authors explicitly label relationships between a man and a woman outside of marriage, founded solely on infatuation without intimacy, as automatically sinful. Rather, the emphasis is on the fact that infatuation is a natural, almost instinctive state characterized by its fleeting nature and tendency towards an illusory sense of completeness, which does not replace the deep, meaningful love that people should aspire to, especially when it comes to higher moral values.

For example, one excerpt highlights that “All of this is natural, you are not the first, nor will you be the last—everyone has been through it at some point. And it is not a tragedy, as long as one does not forget God and values greater than the first infatuation (notice how meticulously we avoid calling it love, and the word ‘love’ is only used when referring to the gospel commandment)” ( link txt). This clearly conveys the idea that infatuation itself does not carry the moral stain of sin, provided it is not accompanied by the neglect of higher ideals.

Thus, if relationships between a man and a woman outside of marriage are based solely on states of infatuation and do not evolve into physical and intimate closeness, they cannot automatically be deemed sinful. It is important to remember that the discussion here is more about describing the nature and characteristics of infatuation than about establishing a moral standard to condemn such relationships.

Supporting citation(s):
“All of this is natural, you are not the first, nor will you be the last—everyone has been through it at some point. And it is not a tragedy, as long as one does not forget God and values greater than the first infatuation (notice how meticulously we avoid calling it love, and the word ‘love’ is only used when referring to the gospel commandment)” (source: link txt)

Thus, based on the analysis of the presented material, relationships grounded solely in infatuation without intimacy should not be unequivocally classified as sinful—it all depends on the context and the extent to which the participants uphold high values in their lives.