Can people of two different religions have a relationship?
By sunshinecup
@sunshinecup (7871)
December 17, 2006 7:39am CST
I know a couple the wife is Baptist and the husband is Muslim and they have children. However what I have noticed is her religion is more dominant in the house than his. It’s as if he allows this for the sake of making the marriage work. So my question is, can it work without one giving up their own beliefs? Have you ever dated or married someone of different beliefs?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
17 Dec 06
I believe so. My girlfriend is Jewish and I am atheist. It works because she doesn't try to push the religion on me and I believe in a lot of the teachings (like being nice to others, trying to help those less fortunate), etc. just not the part about their being a God. I don't know if we had kids if she would want to teach them the God thing or not. I'd rather teach them both ideas (and more!) and just let them decide for themselves.
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
18 Dec 06
Definitely. We'll have a long process of just getting kids, so there would be all sorts of discussions if we decided on kids. We'll either go to a sperm bank or adopt. So far, we've decided that if on the first try we didn't get pregnant, we should adopt.
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
17 Dec 06
My husband would probably be considered Atheist but was raised in a strict Christian home and I'm a Pagan+ (simply put)and we get along just fine...mind you we are both very openminded ppl which of course is a huge factor.
1 person likes this
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
17 Dec 06
Thanks for posting, with the kids, is something you will hopefully discuss before that time comes.
@healinglight20 (112)
•
17 Dec 06
Understanding is of paramount importance. Religion at the end of the day is a personal choice. You cannto force someone to believe in a particular religion - because then it is done out of obligation and not out of actually wanting to do so. My partner and i have different religious backgrounds and we celebrate the differences.....i learn something new and so does he!! its a win win situation
@sunshinecup (7871)
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17 Dec 06
No I agree, you can't force your religion on someone. I like how you've turned your diffrences into a learning exsperience for you both! That is really cool!
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
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17 Dec 06
why not/ relationships are real, religions are a big lie of course they can
@chanfrado (1157)
• Portugal
27 Dec 06
Sure! Why not?
For me there's no problem with that.
1 person likes this
@saroya (58)
• United States
4 Jan 07
Religion is not foundational to a marriage. Love is. Religion can strengthen or destroy it. I was raised Methodist/Baptist in a Jewish community. It worked. I ate my fair share of kugel and latkes, and went to every Shabbas. It made me a stronger and more loving person. I love people because of it.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
3 Jan 07
I think that marriage is hard enough without added burdens of different beliefs. However, if the religion or faith isn't strong, than I don't think it will matter. But, if the two are very strong in their separate beliefs, it can cause problems. I have not married out of my faith, but did date others.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
2 Jan 07
My friend is married to a muslim man and it works. It depends what priority do you give in yourlife, your relationship between you two or religion. Certain compromises have to be made. It's not an easy choice to be made. In my opinion there is a greater chance that interreligious marriage can fail.
@shywolf (4514)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I believe that it can work, but I see what you mean about one religion being more dominant in the household. I think that that would tend to happen in any circumstance like this, just like one person or the other would tend to be more dominant in a relationship. ^_^ Anyway, love transcends all barriers, as far as I am concerned. I would really like to think that I could have a fulfilling relationship with anyone, regardless of race or religion or creed, as long as we truly loved each other.
