Can a Christian woman and a Bahai man have a successful marriage?

Question

Ideally, I would have wanted a Christian marriage, but with the Church at 70% female and circumstances being what they are, basically the man in my life, who loves me deeply and wants to make “an honest woman” of me, is Bahai. I know quite a few Bahais but none in specifically mixed marriages with practising Christians. I'm worried at how this will impact our kids if we have any – he seems pretty adamant that the kids have to be Bahai. I'd especially like to hear from praticing Christian women married to Bahai men, and what their experiences were. We are both from western backgrounds.

Answer 1

yes, you could have a successful marrige if you get along and try to stay together.

Answer 2

Only if the woman abandons her faith. Usually the woman is more influenced by the man and more prone to compromise or change her beliefs. If he's already adamant that the children be non-Christians you'd be the only one in the family. It would be difficult to maintain your beliefs and you could end up practicing in secret if you did not ultimately give up your beliefs. You should ask your church your question. Marriage is difficult on its own. Even Christian marriages break up when one is more committed than the the other to their faith. You should also consider how divorce would affect your children.

On a much more serious note you need to re-examine what it means to be a Christian. A Christian has NO business marrying or dating an unbeliever. An unbeliever is basically an antiChrist if they know about and reject Christ. I, too, know Baha'i and they know about and reject Christ. Associating with unbelievers is one thing if you're looking to influence them but joining with them is altogether different. Also, if he wants to "make an honest woman" of you that implies that you already have a sexual relationship with him and are thereby indulging in fornication -- an unChristian thing to do. Christianity is a moment by moment reality and not an easy one nor is it something one "practices" as a "lifestyle". I recommend that you read 2 Corinthians 5-7.

Answer 3

I am in a marriage with a man who has very different fundamental beliefs from me and it is very challenging. We don't have religious differences, but we do see the world very differently in other ways. We definitely get very frustrated and very dissapointed with each other at times.

Definitely figure out BEFORE you marry him what religion your children will be. If you can't resolve it, then keep talking about it until you do. Getting married before will not help you resolve the issue. It will only get more complicated.

Honestly, I would't marry a man who felt very strongly about our kids being a different religion from mine, especially if I was very devoted to my religion. Watching your kids (when they are young, when they are older it's different) be a different religion than yours is kind of like losing your religion. And it would be especially difficult if my husband, their father, was the one responsible for it. I would probably deeply resent it.

Be careful. And be prepared if you do choose to marry him. If he wants them Bahai, then you make sure they attend your church too. Make sure they participate in all the christian traditions you care about, including baptism, or you might resent it later on... and don't forget to work all that out before you get married. Really, if he can't compromise on that now, then I can assure you that he won't be compromising in the future.

Answer 4

i know woman who are christian and married Muslim men if the woman converts or the men like wise there is generally no problem , except maybe the families ,which depends on how devote they are . the woman who's men where more liberal in there views and did not hinder there wife's religious views things went well and there still married but those of a very conservative view , make it known they want there wife to convert then its really hard if she is very devote in her believes ,and the whole kid thing ,if the kids are allowed to choose with out pressure from either parent then things go good , but if not it gets hard very hard . good luck .

Answer 5

i'm sorry but, i don't know what bahai is but, i have known christain/jewish couples who have done just fine. if the man you love is adament about raising any future children in his religion and you are okay with that, go for it.if you wish them to be raised in the christian faith you are going to have problems. there is the risk of hurt feelings and confusion for the kids.

Answer 6

i have seen mixed marriages that work because one of the partners isnt that commited to their own religion, and are happy for the more dominant(religiously speaking ) to take over that part of their lives.