What are your opinions on people with different religions marrying?

Question

I have a few friends who have gotten married (or are engaged to be married) who believe in different religions (one is even athiest). I'd like to hear differing opinions on this matter other than theirs, their families, and my own. The religions vary from Christianity with Paganism; Jewish with Athiest; Buddhist with Wiccan, etc...

Thanks.

Just another tidbit of information for you guys.

One of the couples I am friends with already have kids. They have been raising them to know about both of their faiths as well as teahcing them about other faiths. They encourage them to figure out what they believe and leave it like that. I don't know if the other couples plan on having children or not though.

Answer 1

It depends upon the maturity level of the people involved. I'm in a long-term relationship with someone who doesn't share my religious beliefs. I'm Christian; she's not. We're fine with it. We respect each other's rights, opinions, and beliefs. We will marry, and I don't see it being a problem after marriage, because it's not a problem now. But some people seem obsessed with making other people believe whatever they do, and in that case, marrying someone outside of their religion would be inadvisable, because they wouldn't be able to stop badgering their spouse about religion, and would likely insist upon a conversion. As for my own relationship, we've already firmly established that we will not be having children, so there's no question of how the children would be raised. But for those couples who practice separate religions and do plan on having children, that would be a very important issue to discuss before marriage.

Answer 2

It CAN work. Not always though.

One question to think about is: how often does religion even come up in conversation? With some couples, the topic simply never comes up, and thus it's never the source of an argument.

Another thing that I've learned though experience is this: if at least one of the two honestly believes that the other person is in some sort of danger (metaphysical, social, or otherwise) because of their choice of religion, then forget it. That relationship is doomed.

Another potential problem is not just between the couple, but between the two extended families. Marriage doesn't only mean you're making a union with one person; you're joining into a new family too, and the responsibilities that go with that. That can be tough if the two families are rather intolerant and have different religions.

Answer 3

The Bible, though, warns against forming close attachments to unbelievers. As the apostle Paul put it: “Do not become unevenly yoked [“Do not harness yourselves in an uneven team,” The Jerusalem Bible] with unbelievers. For . . . what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever.” (2 Corinthians 6:14, 15) Paul may have had in mind the Mosaic Law’s prohibition against yoking together a bull and an *** for plowing. (Deuteronomy 22:10) The *** is smaller in size and not as strong and would suffer as a result of such an uneven yoking. Since marriage is like a yoke that binds husband and wife together, for a Christian to marry an unbeliever would result in an uneven yoking. (Matthew 19:6) Such a yoke often brings added pressure and stress to a marriage.—Compare 1 Corinthians 7:28. Jehovah is deeply concerned about our lasting welfare. Did he not, at great cost to himself, give his Son as “a ransom in exchange for many”? (Matthew 20:28) Is he not ‘the One teaching us to benefit ourselves’? (Isaiah 48:17) Does he not promise that ‘he will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear’? (1 Corinthians 10:13) Reasonably, then, when he tells us not to yoke ourselves with unbelievers, he must have our best interests at heart! Consider how this warning is an expression of his loving care for us. Marriage was intended by the Creator to form the closest bond between humans, with husband and wife becoming “one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) Is it wise for a Christian to form such a close bond with an unbeliever? For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness. Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever?” There is, of course, no harmony between Christ and Satan. Similarly, in an uneven yoke, it is very difficult for husband and wife to ‘hit the same chords.’ They are like two musical instruments that are out of harmony with each other, producing discordant sounds instead of music.

Answer 4

The Bible warns us as Christian believers not to become unequally yoked with non-belivers.

2 Corinthians 6:14

"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness?"

One of the duties of a Christian parent is to assure that the children of a Christian marriage will grow up to be Christians themselves. Yes, I realize that when they get older, they have a mind of their own, and may very well decide that it's a lot of hoo-hah, but if children are given the proper and loving instruction in Christ, you as a parent will have planted a seed that will be there, and who knows, even if it doesn't take root and sprout right away, that early faith and training may bear fruit eventually. At least they will have a proper perspective of the Christian side of the argument anyway. At least you will have done all you could in your capacity of a Christian parent. Which brings me back to the original point. If you are a Christian, and you marry someone who's not, you aren't going to get much help in this regard, and may actually have someone in your own household undermining you and working against you. Think long and hard about that if you are Christian and considering marrying a non-believer....

Answer 5

I think it is up to the couple as to how to deal with the differing religions. Some interfaith marriages work, some don't. It depends on the individuals and whether they can compromise. If they intend to have children, they need to come to an agreement about how to raise the child in regard to religion long before they become pregnant.

Personally, I don't have any problem with it - but then, it's not for me to decide anyway.

Answer 6

I have been cut down for this many times and even received emails saying that I was wrong and will burn. But I am Christian and my husband is Atheist. We have been happily married for over 15yrs now. We DO NOT have arguments about religion and it has NEVER been a problem. We respect and love each other.

The "equally (or unequally) yoked" statement is ridiculous. As I am not "yoked" to my husband. That is for horses and oxen. People need to realize that times have changed. We also eat pork and shellfish.

Answer 7

Well, mine didn't work. She was mormon, and I am bible-believing Christian (or Calvary Chapel). I used to believe the stupidest reason to fight would be religion, until many fights ensued because I just could not believe Joseph Smith really had visions in the grove. And since the prophet was wrong a couple of times, I wouldn't accept him as a true prophet. Nor am I a brother of Jesus, he is my savior, and my God. She didn't like that.

I mean, love does not conquer all. When after twenty years, and you can't even worship the same God, there is no relationship.

Answer 8

Not long ago I preformed a wedding between a wiccan girl and a christian man.I think they summed it up the best.

Love does not care about your age,color,build,or religion.When it takes hold of you that's all that matters.

Answer 9

As long as it doesn't bother either one of them, it shouldn't matter. They can believe what they want. I know a Jewish/Catholic couple. The only thing I wonder about with differing marriages is how do they raise their kids? Maybe let them choose when they get older?

Answer 10

I am a Christian. I think it's patently foolish for a born again Christian to marry someone who is not. You're heading for trouble. On what foundation will you build? The bible says not to be unequally yoked. Jesus Christ should be the corner stone of a marriage, if you are Christian.