When parents believe in different religions then what about the children????

Well if the parents are tolerant of each other, that should not be a problem. I think you meant inter-religious marriages here. In such marriages I have seen either of the following two happening: One is where one spouse converts to the other spouse’s religion and discards all the beliefs and practises of his/her previous religion. In such cases, there is no problem for the children as because they are not exposed to two religions. Second situation is where the spouses are liberal enough to allow and follow each other’s religion. Like they celebrate all the religious festivities of both the religions in their home. In such case also, it should not be much of a problem for the children because they are growing up with respect for both religions and know both the religions well. They are therefore free to choose their own religion when they are adults. However, it does create a problem when in some forms (for education or job or visa etc) the religion has to be mentioned. In such cases I have mainly seen the children mention the father’s religion as their own (maybe a reflection of our patriarchal society).

Apsara! You are putting us in a difficult situation. Cannot you ask simple questions.......LOL! I wrote in one of your discussions that following a religion is a matter of 'faith'. You cannot 'impose' your will and cannot thrust your desires on your children. If they wish to be religious, it is fine, but if they do not want to be religious, I would say, let it be, do not force them. It is their experiences in this world, which will tell them, that how important is the religion in their life. I have seen many people are not religious now a days, they live their life comfortably. On the other hand, those who go to the religious places such as temples etc. also feel a kind of self satisfaction that they are following their religion and feel good about it. In my view, there should be complete freedom about adopting a religion or otherwise. Remember you can take the horse to a pond, but you cannot force him to drink water.

My mother is Southern Baptist and my father was Roman Catholic. They never discussed religion. They rarely went to churches. Neither parent ever forced their religion on me. I was allowed to think for myself. I'm now Celtic.

Hi dear i dont know what to say, but i think in such situation kids will be confused and they will be away from both influences. and thats they to stay happy

My hubby and I are or similar but slightly different religions. Our kids are given the choice to check them both out and make their own decision. We have agreed that there can be no bashing the other church nor competing for the kids. The only input we give is straight answers as to what each church believes. that way no feelings get hurt, the kids don't feel as though if they choose the church they are choosing that parent over the other,and we get to stay happily married. So far it seams to be working.

From my perspective,a family may run well in most of the ways.But when it comes to a certain division,both sides should try to respect your partner.And for children,they have its own appetite,what a parent need to do is to lead,but the person who can make the choice is your child.

I think the children should be raised to let them have a freedom of choice for themselves. they will already be exposed to both sides. They will be able to have the choice as they mature as to what religion or nonreligion they want to choose to live by.

Good Morning! You have brought up a very good point. I have a cousin who married a man who is of a different faith than she is. They didn't talk about having children and who any children would go to church with before they got married. They now have a beautiful little girl and my cousin's husband refuses to let her take the baby to church with her at any time. He doesn't even go to the church where he is a member of, but he refuses to let her take their baby to her church. It breaks my heart!! If a couple has decided to get married knowing that they feel differently about each other's faith then they need to get this discussed fully before getting married and know how this will be taken care of instead of making the child AND their marriage suffer. Thanks for listening!!

Honestly, if I was in that situation I was switch. One week I'd take them to church with me, the next week the father could do what he wanted with them. And then when they are old enough to decide for themselves, then they could determine what they believe in.

we should leave it on children,give void knowledge both religions to your children and then let them chose what they like. its the only way i think to keep happy environment

It's like my situation right now. my husband and i have different religion.. though i am no longer practicing the religion that i am in, i need to hide that with my parents who are devoted. My son even had 2 baptismal celebration. I do not know what will gonna happen.. But, i'll let my son choose what religion he wants to have.. but, right now, i have to teach him mine and so is his father's. We may be different in beliefs, and sometime argue with it, but we are happy living together.. :) because i'm understanding and so my husband regarding religion matter.. :)

I'm currently agnostic and if I marry a woman who is a different religion to me, I'll probably raise my child to follow their religion or let them choose for themselves what they think is right.

First of all give the children a mark "poor children".Allow the children to choose any of the two attitude.They may decide which is best? I think there is no other way.

Let the children learn about both religions of the parents. When the right time comes let them choose what religion they want to be devoted. In this way, the children will grow in that religion not just because they followed what they parents believed in but because they chose it by themselves.

I guess, the couple must talked about it and agreed among themselves what to do during the early stage of the kids. Either to expose in religion or not. Then when they grew up and will understand life better, they will be given freedom what to follow base on their own choice and will. I have not met any family like this, since in all my friends, either one will convert so they will go to one service together!

I think both the partners should decide & make sure that the child turns out to be a good person.The child should be given teachings of good people in this world so that he becomes a good person rather than a conservative religious person.Thats what i believe.

My husband is Catholic and I am Presbyterian. Our different religions are a big deal to our grandparents but not to us. Our daughter will be exposed to both religions and allowed to choose what she wants to do. She doesn't have to choose one of our two either, she can choose whichever one is right for her. We don't go to different churches but she is free to explore those as she gets older if she so chooses. My grandparens were close to never talking to me again when they found out my husband is Catholic. I think it's silly and that shouldn't cause such a rift among a family. I'm glad they got over it though.

hi its really tough for the children coz they either believe in any one of the religion or become atheist-now question comes whose religion will the children follow.It depends on which of the two religions involved here is more assertive-for example when one of the religion involved is Hinduism,it is more likely that the children will turn away from this religion as it does not believe in aggressive propogation of its religious beliefs.Also it depends upon which of the parent has more influence on the child.