Marrying Into the Faith

[cardero]

Many religions support and encourage specific members of their congregation to marry into the same faith. Even celebrities seem to court and marry other people within the industry? Is this sound advice? Are these unions truly off to a good start and better off than marriages of mixed faiths? Are there any statistics or evidence that these marriages last longer or do not end in divorce?

 

[Bishka]

Many religions support and encourage specific members of their congregation to marry into the same faith. Even celebrities seem to court and marry other people within the industry? Is this sound advice? Are these unions truly off to a good start and better off than marriages of mixed faiths? Are there any statistics or evidence that these marriages last longer or do not end in divorce?

From personal experience I know that this is true, that members of the same faith stay together longer.

As of statistics, I know there are some out there, but not sure where.

I know that as members of the same faiths seem to have more of the same goals, interests, etc.

 

[JerryL]

From personal experience I know that this is true, that members of the same faith stay together longer.

That cannot be determined by personal experience; only through statistical analysis.

Usually, the requirement is intended to prevent the faith from loosing adherents (it's insecurity). In Islam, the man is in charge, so he's allowed to marry non-Muslim women; but women are not allowed to marry non-Muslim men.

 

[Sunstone]

According to The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States, the tendency to marry into the same faith is more pronounced among fundamentalists than among mainstream Protestant churches.

 

[Bishka]

That cannot be determined by personal experience; only through statistical analysis.

Usually, the requirement is intended to prevent the faith from loosing adherents (it's insecurity). In Islam, the man is in charge, so he's allowed to marry non-Muslim women; but women are not allowed to marry non-Muslim men.

Hey, I said personal experience, from what I've seen, not everything has to be numbers. From personal experience I've noticed that members of the same faith stay together longer.

 

[jewscout]

Traditionally in Judaism intermarriage is discouraged to say the least, as this can lead to loss of Jewish identity and questions of halachic status.

That's not to say an intermarriage couple can't raise good Jewish kids...or that all jewish couples raise observant jewish kids

but an example i can give is Rachel's family, her aunt intermarried, her son was born a jew but the kid has no understanding of his jewish identity or faith. I've seen him of Chanukah and Passover and that's about it.

 

[jeffrey]

I don't think it's as much as the 2 people involved accepting each other's faith as it is their religion or church accepting the other's faith. My wife and I have some what different views on religion, but we respect each other's views and get along quite fabulous. But when your religion steps in and dictates whom you should marry... Time to find another church. 'For what God has joined together..

 

[CaptainXeroid]

From personal experience I know that this is true, that members of the same faith stay together longer.

As of statistics, I know there are some out there, but not sure where.

I know that as members of the same faiths seem to have more of the same goals, interests, etc.

Good post, and I was thinking the exact same thing. While the 'interfaith' aspect seems new and interesting in the beginning, my observation has been that as the couple interacts with family and eventually starts having children, those difference in faith cause a great many problems.

Two examples if I may...a good friend was rather indifferent to religion, but he fell in love with a married a Catholic young lady. For the first 5 years of marriage, they went to church on Christmas, Easter, and once in a while when they felt like it. When their son was born, she decided the boy would be dedicated and raised in the Church. A few months later, with my friend cussing , they put their house up for sale and moved back up north closer to her family, so the child could be 'raised right'.

When my wife & I first dated and married, we were pretty much the same way: Christmas, Easter, & special music programs.:jiggy: Several years ago, both of us felt a calling to attend church and become active. We have, and it has truly been a blessing in our lives.

 

[jeffrey]

Our kids will be taught the aspects of many religions. It will be up to them which path they choose to follow.

 

[michel]

Many religions support and encourage specific members of their congregation to marry into the same faith. Even celebrities seem to court and marry other people within the industry? Is this sound advice? Are these unions truly off to a good start and better off than marriages of mixed faiths? Are there any statistics or evidence that these marriages last longer or do not end in divorce?

Different Country, so I was interested to see what comments would emmerge; actually, some of the posters made some very valid comments for marrying within 'a communal faith' - interests is one of them.

No statistics I can find, but a few sites..........
http://atheism.about.com/od/adviceforatheists/a/mixedmarriages.htm
Mixed Marriages with Atheists & Theists

http://marriage.about.com/od/interfaith/a/interfamistakes.htm
Mistakes Interfaith Couples Often Make


http://atheism.about.com/od/atheistsandmarriage/a/devout_spouse.htm

My Spouse Has Gotten More Religious Since We Got Married

 

[Green Gaia]

InterFaith marriage really isn't an issue in UU.

 

[SoyLeche]

InterFaith marriage really isn't an issue in UU.

Maybe not for the UU member, but it could be for their significant other.

 

[Green Gaia]

Maybe not for the UU member, but it could be for their significant other.

I would hope the couple would resolve that before marrying.

 

[SoyLeche]

I would hope the couple would resolve that before marrying.

I would hope the same for any couple that has decided to marry.

 

[Green Gaia]

I would hope the same for any couple that has decided to marry.

Of course. But I am the LAST person on the planet that should be giving relationship advice, so I will quietly exit this thread now...

 

[jeffrey]

Excuse me for being old fashioned and believing people should marry out of love, instead of having the same religion... Silly me.

 

[jeffrey]

The same arguements could be brought up for inter-racial marriages, which I don't have a problem with either. But I bet some do, but would never admit it.

 

[CaptainXeroid]

Excuse me for being old fashioned and believing people should marry out of love, instead of having the same religion... Silly me.

Nah...you're not that silly. The problem, IMHO, occurs when people believe love will conquer all, and they fail to come to an agreement on matters of faith before they get married.

 

[jeffrey]

Nah...you're not that silly. The problem, IMHO, occurs when people believe love will conquer all, and they fail to come to an agreement on matters of faith before they get married.

I agree, if one tries to dominate their religion over the other. If you apply 1st Corinthians, 13, you should never have a problem.

 

[nutshell]

I honestly believe love is only one of many components that are needed for a successful marriage. If "all you need is love" were true, then many more marriages would be successful.

I was in an inter-racial, interfaith marriage, but about three years into into it my wife converted and became LDS. We had a secular marriage (til death do we part), but are preparing to go to the temple and be sealed for eternity, probably in the next few months.

And if you're wondering she is Japanese and before converting she was an atheist/buddhist if there is such a thing.