My father is Jewish and my mother is catholic. Growing up, my siblings and I learned about both religions, celebrated holidays with each family and learned to RESPECT both views. When I was about the age of 10, I went to my mother and told her that i wanted to have a communion. She signed me up for CCD and i went through the whole deal.
I would suggest doing the same with your child: teaching them both, but most importantly, teaching them to respect both religions. When he/she gets older, the may choose to side with one religion or may just want to stick with having views from both sides. It's a wonderful experience, to be able to have two different religions in the house.
I have 3 boys w/ a little girl on the way. I'm a practicing catholic while my husband isn't really into religion at all and was never taught as a kid. I had all of our kids baptized but it's up to them to come to me and say "I want to do______ in church." I do not believing in forcing religion upon someone.
Best wishes, good luck & congrats! =]
2007-06-19 13:59:42
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answer #1
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answered by Sam 5
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You didn't think about this before you got married?
My guyfriend is baptist and I'm pagan (raised Catholic). We have only touched on this, but generally, kids tend to follow the religion of their mother because she is the primary caregiver. That is why Jews use the maternal line to determine if someone is jewish or not. So long as he's allowed to teach his religion to the kids with the occasional attendance, no problem. My kids will have knowledge of Catholicism, but will primarily be raised pagan.
My birthson was Catholicked to death and today he is an agnostic. Not a good job there by his adoptive parents.
2007-06-19 13:57:43
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answer #2
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answered by CarbonDated 7
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What you should have done was discuss this possibility before you two got married. Now, you are experiencing what happens when you don't plan ahead.
As a Catholic parent, the Church is entrusting you to bring up your children in the Faith, even when the other parent is not a Catholic.
You two have to learn to build upon the similarities between Catholic and Baptist doctrine, not obsess over the differences.
I have a feeling that some heated discussion between you two is already afoot, each claiming that their doctrine is the only True doctrine. You both need to ask yourselve's - Where was this feverish enthusiam for God's Truth BEFORE you two were married and BEFORE you two had children?
There must have been some discussion of doctrinal truth when you two were discussing marriage. Obviously, you two came up with a solution then. You two can come up with one now.
2007-06-20 04:35:56
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answer #3
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answered by Daver 7
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I was raised baptist. However I became catholic when I met my husband. I didn't do it for him, he just introduced it to me and I enjoyed the church much more than I did the baptist ones. I'm a little surprised you didn't consider this before you even got married considering both beliefs encourage premarital counseling. Unless you are each visiting different churches every Sunday, then I'm assuming you aren't going to church right now. My suggestion is to both give each other's church a fair shot. Go to your wifes church for a few Sundays and in turn have her go to yours. You might find more in common than you think. If you still can't agree, raise the baby in both churches. Teach him all aspect of both beliefs and then let him decide when he gets old enough. Try to remember, though, that both beliefs are Christian beliefs. And you still both believe in the same God. Concentrating on the small differences are not as important as concentrating on the major similarities.
2007-06-19 14:09:46
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answer #4
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answered by Rene 4
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You really should have thought of that before having children! Seriously my sister married a Catholic and we're Lutheran...Neither of them changed to the others religious beliefs, but the kids are non-denominational. A good middle place to be. Remember it's NOT about You or your wife anymore, it's about raising your children up in a Godly, loving way. Jesus Himself Despised Religion, as long as the TWO of you understand it's about bringing that child up to LOVE the Lord, not a Pope or a Pastor but an Almighty and Everlasting God. Train up your child in the way they are to go and when they are old they will not part from it.....
What Would JESUS do????? I don't think He would squabble over a petty thing.....Your Christian or Not....
2007-06-19 13:52:37
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answer #5
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answered by Mona Lisa 4
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well, you could raise your child with just good christian values (bible, jesus, church going, prayer, etc.) the problem is going to come with a lot of the life-cycle events that are essential in the catholic faith (first communion, confirmation, etc). Really, I mean, it would be a very difficult compromise. I think maybe letting the child decide when they are old enough might be your best bet, just give them exposure to both traditions, and see if you can agree on the core Christian values that you and your wife want to raise the child with. Christian or Catholic, it all goes back to the gospels of Jesus and the essential Christian values.
2007-06-19 13:43:18
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answer #6
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answered by Diana Hussain 4
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Raise your child to participate with both of you. Eventually he/she will express a preference. Your spouse must be a good person for you to have married her. So, the foundation laid by her religious training must have some merit. Let the child be exposed to both beliefs.
Chat with a priest about integrating both religions. They see this a lot, I'm sure.
Right now, just agree that when baby is old enough, it will be his/her choice. Then do what you do best, love him/her and mommy. That is what religion is all about anyway.
2007-06-19 23:35:10
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answer #7
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answered by Puresnow 6
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I'm Catholic and my husband is protestant. We have four kids and have opted to raise our children with the fundamental christian beliefs/values that transcend ALL denominations.
We have come to a compromise and it works well. Our kids are now aged between 10-5yo and have all made a commitment to christianity -- and the wonderful thing is, they don't know what a 'denomination' is!
Don't become SOOO focussed on which church is right and get down to teaching what Jesus taught.
2007-06-19 14:09:20
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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My answer is that as a Catholic you have a duty to raise your child in the Catholic Faith. This is your Christian duty. I would suggest you speak with a priest for help and advice.
God bless and take care.
2007-06-20 04:00:28
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answer #9
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answered by Danny H 6
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Try to incorporate some ideas from both religions. When the kid is old enough, let him/her decide what religion. I agree that maybe attending a non-denominational church would not be a bad idea.
2007-06-19 13:49:44
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answer #10
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answered by sunny 4
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