I've asked about dating and/or messing around with someone of a different religion, but it seems that when it comes to marriage things may be a little different. Would you actually marry someone of an opposing religion? By opposing I don't just mean "different," it seems that there are some religions that would get along quite nicely, but other religions are always placed as opposites: such as atheists (not a religion, I know) and Christians.
It's not a question of if it COULD work, it's a question of if you would ever do it yourself.
2007-07-23 08:04:11 · 32 answers · asked by Drake the Deist 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"opposing" is maybe a biased way of putting it
Christians and Muslims, for example, share about 70% of their beliefs.
2007-07-23 08:08:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
"Opposing" is an odd term. I follow a reconstructed indigenous, ethnocultural folkway . . . it is *only* for Northern Europeans and their descendants. So if I met, fell in love with, and married a Celt, or a Slav, or a Latina . . . well, her spiritual ways would be HER ways. And in fact I did have a fairly long term relationship with a Mexican-Indian/German-Irish woman who was raised nominally Mexican Catholic but exploring her NA spirituality and "curandera" roots.
I know several heathen/Irish Catholic marriages that seem to work, and some Asatru/Wiccan ones, so "compatible" beliefs are more important than "identical" ones . . . honestly, if I insist on finding a woman EXACTLY like me in all respects, what am I really gaining by marrying her?
Now, if a woman's religious beliefs included the conviction that mine were "devil worship" or "superstitious nonsense" (as would those of xian "born again" fundies, Muslims, atheists, and probably Mormons) then I hardly think we'd make it through the dating stage. Not realistic.
2007-07-23 08:25:10 · answer #2 · answered by Boar's Heart 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't marry anyone who doesn't respect my beliefs and freedoms. I don't, however, draw the line at religion. A lot of atheists are perfectly respectable and actually try to understand why I think and believe the way I do instead of just attacking and writing me off as "brainwashed."
So the answer is: yes, if I were ever to get married, I figure the odds that he would be an atheist are just as good as this hypothetical man being a Christian.
2007-07-23 08:09:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't have a religion, and if I did ever "marry" someone, I'm now pretty sure she would have to be an atheist or somebody who is not from an organized religion. atheists are not as popular as some would believe *cough*. I'm tired of having to hide or having to deal with crap
2007-07-23 08:14:09 · answer #4 · answered by Darth Cheney 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I would date someone of another religion if they were special to me. I would however make it clear from the start the importance of my religion in my life and that I would never change it for them( nor would I ask them to change their either). As long as both of us can respect and tolerate the differences in each other religion, I would be totally fine with it.
2007-07-23 08:11:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let me start off by saying I'm an atheist. Really, it honestly depends on the religion. I don't know if I could handle a strict Christian (mainly because our strong differnce in beliefs, and because they'd want me to come to church :D) or a strict Muslim (because I don't understand it, and no, I'm not willing to learn). Most likely, I'll be marrying a Catholic, because that's what my family is, and there no doubt I'm having a Catholic wedding.
/edit/
I like how Christians are putting God before true love. That saddens me.
2007-07-23 08:09:22 · answer #6 · answered by :) 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Of course.
Im an atheist though, so religion isnt really an issue for me.
As long as Im not forced to attend church or do animal sacrifice or anything Id be fine.
2007-07-23 08:13:01 · answer #7 · answered by Showtunes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would never date or marry someone who is not a Christian. I've raised two children and cannot imagine having children with someone who was not going to reinforce the Christian values I believe so firmly in. God bless!!
2007-07-23 11:16:21 · answer #8 · answered by BERT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an Atheist that married a Church of England woman. 18 years this year. We do not discuss religion.
2007-07-23 08:07:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
It depends what religion it is and how they live it. If i met a guy who said all non believers will go to hell in the end every week, then no I couldn't do it. I would rather date a guy who believes in God, but if they don't ,,,,,and live morally, I'm ok with that.
2007-07-23 08:09:22 · answer #10 · answered by Jessie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I did and it works just fine. He's an atheist and I'm a Buddhist with theistic beliefs. We respect our differences and have open discussions. That is the least of our worries and I think in the end it should be the least of any couples worries.
2007-07-23 08:09:22 · answer #11 · answered by Yogini 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋