Interfaith marriages-do they work?

Sligo

Hmmm.Where to start? My husband is Irish Catholic and I am English and have no faith although I was christened C of E. Our children are being raised Catholic.

I have lived here in Ireland for 22 years. The problem is not that he believes and I don't, but that religion in Ireland pervades every aspect of every day living whether you like it or not. Things have changed somewhat over the 20+years but it is sometimes difficult for me to live in a society where one religion dominates so many aspects of life when I was raised in a more secular society in England.

Aspects like education - the majority of schools, junior and secondary, are Catholic ethos especially in rural Ireland. There are some multi/non denominational schools in towns but very few. So for most there is no choice. Hospitals can be of a Catholic/Protestant ethos depending on which church founded them but they are public hospitals paid for by the state. This can have influence on medical practice or treatment. Divorce was only introduced since I came to live here. (How handy!). There is no abortion and huge issues now over the right to a termination when the mother's life is at risk and the legislation needed. The Constitution enshrines Catholic doctrine. Sometimes it's that I just don't know/understand how things are done cos I wasn't raised here and never did it and everyone just assumes that you do cos practically everyone here has done it!

But I chose to live here (un-informed choice??) so sometimes I have to shut up and suck it up! There are lots of little things that annoy me but I can ignore them. So religion doesn't cause conflict in our relationship, but the influence of his religion on our everyday life sometimes does cause issues for me!

(And don't even start on The Troubles in The North! Religion being used a weapon - by both sides!)

silvercar

mumps wrote: »

Is being proud of being English or British the same as being proud of England or Britain or English/British culture? I see them as different. I am English because this is where my mother happened to be when I was born, I think this makes me lucky as does being born in the 20th century. I count my blessings that I have never faced famine or plague, never lived under a dictatorship and the prejudice I have been subjected to has not been as bad as many people have suffered throughout history.

I am proud of some things English and ashamed of others.

It isn't that straightforward. If your mother happened to be on holiday in France when you were born it wouldn't make you french.

mumps

silvercar wrote: »

It isn't that straightforward. If your mother happened to be on holiday in France when you were born it wouldn't make you french.

Well it was for me, my mother wasn't English, she was here on an extended holiday and my dad was demobbed and shipped to England where they were reunited so I happened to be born here but I am entitled to dual nationality. My children are also dual nationals as my husband isn't British and they also share his nationality.