Interfaith marriage- lutheran/buddhist?

Question

What is the lutheran church's policy on interfaith marriages? Can a lutheran marry a buddhist and still have it be recognized by the church?

Answer 1

Q. What is the LCMS policy regarding interdenominational or interfaith marriages? Is there anything that must be "promised" about children of these marriages?

A. The LCMS has no official position or "policy" regarding interdenominational marriages, but entrusts to its pastors the responsibility of counseling couples regarding issues such as this. A pastor in this situation may well want to discuss the serious issue of the spiritual nurture of children in such a "mixed marriage" and the complications and challenges involved, but the LCMS as such does not require that a member make specific "promises" in this regard.

ELCA is probably pretty much the same. I can imagine that in WELS it would be a HUGE no-no!

Answer 2

usafbrat64's answer is completely correct (from the LCMS web site, I think, which is an excellent resource). I would add that the Lutheran Church has no concept of a marriage being "recognized by the Church," since we don't consider marriage to be a sacrament. Any formal recognition by the church would be practiced for the sake of community rather than for sacramental or other theological reasons, though some pastors may wish to emphasize the fact of making vows before God specifically rather than merely making vows to each other (which is a valid point).

The only time there might be an issue is in the case of divorce and remarriage. Even then it's not really a question of recognizing the marriage, but rather a question of whether the acts of divorce and remarriage were warranted under Christian moral principles. If not, the pastor must determine whether the couple (or the partner who is a member) will be permitted to continue receiving communion; and if not, what will be required for full reconciliation with the Church.

As usafbrat64 said, WELS may be quite different, since they have a strict doctrine of separation.

Answer 3

I have a question more than and answer. Does the fact that a person is not a christian means that he is not righteous? How many Gods are there? no let me put it another way. How many creators are there? Do you really think that when our creator looks at us he see some he LOVE and some he dont? Guys we are all spirit created in the image of GOD. And check this there is nothing that can seperate us from the Love of GOD. Nothing. Lutheran buddist catholic anglican baptist I think you get the jist , these are the names that causes the illusion that there is a seperation . I say if you Love him or her and your heart says yes its the right thing to do. Go for it.

Answer 4

I'm not Lutheran but they're just protestant. As for Buddhists they don't even believe in God so no contest there. If she's a nice girl then marry her...... No wait, I meant on a sensible level, but in protestantism a believer's not allowed to marry a non-believer...... But if neither of you believe and if she's a nice girl then get married, have babies, have fun.

Answer 5

I don't know what the Luthern church says about it per se, but I know what the Bible says about it. And if you really are a Christian, shouldn't that matter more? Do you really want to face the hard decisions in life with a partner that you can't even discuss the most important part of life with? 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 says:

"14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what 4fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what 5communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For syou 6are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
t“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”
17 Therefore
u“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I vwill be a Father to you,
And you shall be My wsons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”
7 Therefore, ahaving these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Answer 6

Although I hate to contradict my fellow Christian in spiritual matters I must point out to Isaiah the scripture which reads "If a Christian man has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him he must not leave her. [and vice versa..I'm paraphrasing here] for the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage" (1 Corinthians 7:12-14, paraphrased)

Answer 7

Since there are three distinct types of lutherans in the us, its impossible to answer your question except to say that their basic belief is that all are saved by grace, not works of legalism.

Answer 8

At one level all religions are the same... they all reach a point of unconditional love and non-duality.... a 'one-ness'.

If the couple is at this point it does not matter what the 'rules' are.

Answer 9

A Christian of any denomiantion must marry another Christian


2Cr 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Answer 10

whatevr