What religion would you choose?

Question

Here's my situation. I am a Serbian Orthodox Christian, who is married to an Italian Catholic. We got married 2 years ago in the Orthodox church, but my husband didnt convert, which I didnt mind, because he was raised Catholic. The problem is what do we do with our kids (none yet, but trying)? My religion means alot to me, but my child would have more opportunties to be active in the Catholic Church. we have discussed raising them in both, but the can only be baptized in one, and then their actions in the other church is restricted. For example they wont be able to fast and take Holy Communion in my church if they are baptized Catholic, and they wont be able to be confirmed in Catholic church if baptized in Orthodox. I am the one who attends church most and would be taking them. Is it right that I ask to have them baptized Orthodox since my husband was kind enough to get married in my church. Is that selfish?

Why I ask is because both religions believe in infant baptism, which we both were, and believe in. I believe God is God no matter where you go, but I would feel bad not baptizing them in my church. I just dont want to be selfish and hurt my husbands family's feelings. Also the Catholic priest thing does bother me, although I know it is not every priest. (Orthodox priests may marry before they are ordained)

Answer 1

You obviously know more about this than I do, but Serbian Orthodox Christianity also practices infant baptism like Roman Catholicism, doesn't it? I'm assuming this is one of the reasons why this is a more pressing issue than if we were dealing with Protestantism. Assuming both of you want your children to be involved with religion from an early age, I would say that the children should be baptized in the faith of the parent who is most religiously active (Orthodox, by the sound of it).

That said, I also think that you should teach your children to understand and appreciate the beliefs and traditions of the other faith. That way, when they get older, they may make an educated choice if they want to remain Orthodox or become Catholic. It will also help them to relate better to their relatives on the Catholic side of the family. I was raised in a Jewish-Catholic household, and while I was raised Catholic, I was also able to learn enough about Judaism (my dad wasn't particularly observant) to understand the religious practices and ceremonies that I attended involving my father's relatives.

Because I'm a big advocate of finding your own truth, I would also suggest educating them about all kinds of other religious traditions too for a similar purpose of letting your children make up their own minds, but I understand the desires of a parent to have their children grow in the family's tradition, so that is a choice you will have to make.

Answer 2

Hmmmm,

Tough one! I would have hoped you had this worked out before marriage, but lets start from where you are right now, I used to be a Protestant married to a Catholic and obviously I converted (after 20 years)

It does not sound like either of you are particularly staunch in your beliefs, but now are starting to search for your faith. (Kids do that!)

Why don't you both attend RCIA (Catholic instruction)

Then also both attend the equivalent in your Church.

Talk with the Priests and with each other, pray about it, and follow the Holy spirit.

Good Luck and may God Bless your family!

Peace!

Answer 3

As a fellow (Serb) Orthodox Christian I extend my sympathies. In my honest opinion all things, even all people, take a back seat to the Truth of the faith as found in the Holy Orthodox Church. Christ and His Mystical Body are more important than your husband and his family. What is best for your future child is the Life of Christ that is only found in the One Church where he will be given all that is necessary for his salvation. It is not selfish to care for your and your child's spiritual welfare more than about your husband's desires.

I know I write in very black and white terms, but what fellowship is there between light and darkness,,. between Christ and Beliar?
Perhaps you should take your husband with you and go have a good conversation with your Priest. Heed his council as the very word of God and thereby be granted peace in whatever actions you take.

God keep you

Answer 4

It looks like your question are referring to only these 2 religions, your question is what religion would I choose, well none of the two, there are over 900 different religions in the world, But I find in the Bible in Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, then in Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfast in the Apostles doctrine & fellowship & in breaking of Bread & in prayers. So I myself follow the teachings of the Apostles, & any truly Born again believer can take communion. God adds to the Church daily, not man.

Answer 5

The church is within every denomination throughout the entire world.

We who are in Christ Jesus have become a “new” creature (Gal.6:15, 2 Cor.5:17 below). We have BECOME the church of God (1 Cor.10:32, 1 Cor.1:2, 1 Cor.15:9, Gal.1:13 below), Jesus’ living body (Col.1:24 below).

No matter which denomination one attends, the living body of Christ is there.


Gal.6:15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature (2 Cor.5:17 below).

2 Cor.5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (Gal.6:15 above): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

1 Cor.10:32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Col.1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake, which IS the church (1 Cor.10:32 above).

1 Cor.1:2Unto the church of God (1 Cor.10:32 above) which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:

1 Cor.15:9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God (1 Cor.10:32 above).

Gal.1:13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God (1 Cor.10:32 above), and wasted it:

Eph.2:16And that he might RECONCILE BOTH (Jews and Gentiles) unto God IN ONE BODY (the church of God - 1 Cor.10:32 above) by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:



Pat (ndbpsa ©)

Answer 6

Raise them agnostic and give them the gift of free will. Anything you tell them about religion they will accept as truth because you, as their parents, are supposed to be the source of all truths to the child. Let them choose what they believe, and their lives will be better because of it. If you love your children, you will not allow them to be indoctrinated.

Answer 7

if you are going to be the one taking them to church then i think it would be right to have them baptized in your religion. When they are older they can decide for themselves if they want to convert to the other religion.

Answer 8

Raise them to know and love god, and teach them the christian faith so they can choose when they are older, God will not lead them astray

Answer 9

Keep them away from indoctrination. Let them decide, until they are old enough to decide for themselves. Besides, you really don't want young children to be around catholic priests.

Answer 10

Salvation, through the Blood of Jesus, by faith.