I am christian and my girlfriend is jewish. ideas for raising children once we are married?

Question

we would like to expose them to both faiths..

Answer 1

every week just go to the opposit church. that way they can learn about both and when they're old enough they can choose.

Answer 2

Don't marry ... and do NOT have children.
Yes, I know you are positive the love you have for each other will be enough and Yes, I know you will NOT let your religion interfer with your proposed spouse's religion. However, it won't work. Yes, I know you are positive it will, but it won't. Even if you convert to Judaism or your girlfriend converts to Christianity (which she won't, trust me ... and she shouldn't), the fact is you are still Christian and she is still Jewish.
Understand that there is absolutely nothing wrong with either religion. However, you cannot imagine the chaos you will thrust on your children as you try to bring them up in a Christian AND Jewish home.
Lastly, even if neither of you 'takes you religion seriously', your upbringing will come back to haunt you. You WILL want your children raised as Christians and she WILL want your children raised as Jews.
It is during the courting period, the period you are still in, that all important factors that make for a good marriage are to be ironed out: same politics (darned important), same religion (darned important), same social beliefs, same eating and drinking habits, be on the same wavelength pertaining to wanting children, smoker or drinker, same character beliefs (darned important), etc, etc, etc.
Trust me: disagreement with ANY of these items is a deal-breaker. I know.

Answer 3

Bike dude: The focus being on your children once you tied the proverbial "knot", I can give this advice only to you because you are the christian. Firstly; Jewish customs are based on the Old Testament, (as you know). If you expose your children to these customs, this CAN BE a very positive experience for them. The Old Testament ( O.T.) points people to the New Testament (N.T.) when spiritual types are taken from the O.T. and carried into the N.T. . For example: the observation of the Passover re: eating of the lamb in the O.T. can be compared to the Passover "Lamb" namely, Jesus Christ (N.T.) ..."our Passover Lamb who died for our sins" ... see how to correlate the two (O.T. & N.T.) ? Your children, just like the early church in the New Testament , being Jews ,converting over to Christianity. This will ensure exposure to both faiths and illustrate to the children how God was using the Old Testament to "set the stage" for His Plan later, involving Christ, in the New Testament. The O.T. is a physical type of illustration for the spiritual type in the N.T. !!! In the New Testament, Christians are called, "spiritual Jews". !!! But; above all, don't fight nor argue about your beliefs in front of your children because it will give Him (God), a black eye in the eyes of your children. All the best to you !!!

Answer 4

The both of you should talk this over between the two of you! Is there a Priest or Pastor you could talk to? Or a close relative, maybe?

All I know is, sometimes different religions could clash when it comes to raising kids, and it can get personal then feelings get hurt, etc.
You have to discuss your beliefs then find out if you agree or not agree on issues.

Don't get married until you're sure of everything, ok? Work out any "quirks" before hand, and get things out in the open!

I'd like to mention 1 thing, I have a Brother who is Christian and he was going to marry a woman who was Catholic, then they decided against it.
I guess there were too many differences in the religions they wouldn't agree on, but, only you and your girlfriend can find out by discussing it between you.
Good Luck!

Answer 5

Being a christian myself I would love for them to join the family. But I also think you should teach them both religions and then when they are old enough they can choose what they want to believe. All you can really do is teach them and they will eventually decide what they want to do. Take them to oposite churches every week and do studies at home with the kids, one night study christianity the next jewish cultures. Just follow your heart and do what the Lord leads you to do. Good night and God Bless!!!

Answer 6

Then expose them to both faiths, just be certain you give the opportunity to the child(ren) to make thier own minds up which one they choose to follow later on. And honestly, kids know what decisions they are making even at a very young age...so do not underestimate thier intelligence ever; even if they are 2.

Answer 7

You answered your own question. Do just as you said raise them to learn the Christian and Jewish faith.

Answer 8

Jews for Jesus. These are Jews that believe Jesus as the Messiah. More and More Jews are begining to believe this. Your child will be Jewish and shouldn't ignore the roots, but can still be a Christian.

Answer 9

Sounds like you have answered you quesiton. There is a fine movement called Jews for Jesus which uses the Jewish heritage in a Christian context.
The important things are you talking about it and your going with them.
The blessing of the Almighty One be with you.

Answer 10

The answer depends upon how close both of your are to your faith.
These faiths are almost at the opposite end of the spectrum.
One does not believe the first coming has happened yet the other is totally based upon the fact it did.

To try to teach your children at a young age about both may be confusing for them but as they age may not be a problem.

If either of you are devout in your faith it may be hard for you to accept the other long term.

it may work for you but it may be a challenge. But what in life is not.

Answer 11

Your are right by exposing them to both faiths.