Interfaith marriages-do they work?

sterl1ng

I've known of a Christian woman who married a muslim guy, they raised their kids muslim, seems to be ok. A coworker, her father is Jewish and mother catholic and interesting thing she said was she felt bit lost spiritually when growing up as her parents didn't raise her as catholic or jewish and so felt bit lost but did eventually study to become catholic she recently had her confirmation, her fianc! (though she said he isn't practising ) is catholic , not sure if that's why she converted but she did say her own discovery and chose that path.

Would love to hear your experiences of friends/coworkers and if they work or how do you make it work

neverdespairgirl

Me. Born and brought up Anglican.

OH. Born and brought up Jewish.

We both went to religious schools, as it happens; different religions, though!

15 years on, and one eight year old son later, we're very happy indeed.

Hermia

My parents were different religions and said I could choose when I grew up. I chose atheism. I am not sure if that is what they were expecting! They had no problems juggling their different beliefs.

I think you need to really talk about the future when marrying someone of a different religion. My friend's marriage was fine until they had kids and then her husband suddenly became more religious and insisted the kids be raised Catholic. I am not sure how they are going to deal with it as he won't bend. I think some couples talk about their beliefs now, but don't discuss possible problems in the future (e.g. kids, medical treatment etc).

Torry_Quine

Personally I could never have married someone of a different faith and could only think that if you did then compromises regarding your faith would be necessary. How can anyone marry someone who disagrees about something that is fundamental to your way of life which makes me wonder if those that do are possibly nominal.

Sorry if that sounds harsh but certainly Christians are specifically advised at the very least not to marry a non Christian.

Gigglepig

It may depend on how outlandish one felt that the spouse's beliefs were. And the degree to which one practices a belief. Some faiths/lack of of them may mix better than others.

duchy

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Personally I could never have married someone of a different faith and could only think that if you did then compromises regarding your faith would be necessary. How can anyone marry someone who disagrees about something that is fundamental to your way of life which makes me wonder if those that do are possibly nominal.

Sorry if that sounds harsh but certainly Christians are specifically advised at the very least not to marry a non Christian.

Surely one of the cornerstones of the Christian faith is tolerance ?

My parents were the most genuinely happily married couple I've ever known -one was Catholic and the other Jewish and both had relatives who were intolerant of mixed faith marriages ....... They rose above it all - and forgave their intolerant relatives. I grew up to respect all faiths and to see bigots clearly for what they are.

Torry_Quine

duchy wrote: »

Surely one of the cornerstones of the Christian faith is tolerance ?

My parents were the most genuinely happily married couple I've ever known -one was Catholic and the other Jewish and both had relatives who were intolerant of mixed faith marriages ....... They rose above it all - and forgave their intolerant relatives. I grew up to respect all faiths and to see bigots clearly for what they are.

Tolerance yes but how can someone who worships Jesus and believes He is God be married to someone who is still waiting for the messiah to come and worships appropriately. In my experience one of the couple if not both will start to follow their faith less and less until it all but disappears. I certainly respect people of all faiths and none but that's not the same thing as marrying a different faith.

Torry_Quine

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

Are you from the UK?

Yes, not sure why you would ask that. :rotfl:

arbroath_lass

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

Are you from the UK?

:rotfl:Where else would a Torry Quine be from? That made me giggle .

I'm Pagan and OH is atheist. We've been married 23 years - does that count?

POPPYOSCAR

My aunt and uncle have been married for 70 years, my aunt is 89.

She is a staunch catholic and he is an atheist.

Torry_Quine

herand wrote: »

Because most people in the UK aren't so devoted to Christianity.

Many people call themselves Christian but that doesn't make it so but I am talking here about people who really are and if they were then I find it hard to believe they would be able to amrry someone who disagree

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

Sorry, am I meant to know what that means?

Just because I wasn't aware we had such devout Christians, sounds American to me.

I am a Christian (but not a devout one!)

N/East Scotland actually. :rotfl::rotfl:

Very sad that not wanting to marry a non-Christian is seen as especially devout!