Interfaith Marriage

Question: Interfaith Marriage? A Muslim guy is engaged to a Christian girl. They plan on officiating their marriage through a Sheikh (Muslim priest) for his religion, then a Priest for her religion. My question is if it is haram (sinful) for a Muslim to be married by a Priest after he was already married by the Sheikh? This question isn't referring to me. It's my brother. Also, they've discussed their future, what they'll raise the kids and the families accept it, but only question the marriage ceremony part.

Answer: Not a good idea to have mixed faiths. This is traditionally a big issue in most interfaith marriages.

Question: JEWISH/CHRISTIAN Should both in an Interfaith Marriage attend the other's place of worship? In an interfaith marriage between a Christian and a Jew, should each reciprocate by attending the other's place of worship? (The Jew attend a church and the Christian attend the Synagogue?) If the Jewish member refuses to go to the Church, should the Christian not attend the Torah Service? Fair is fair?

Answer: No; quite frankly, you'll just confuse your kids. Either work it out BEFORE you have kids, or don't have any. Better yet, if you can't get it together enough to work out your differences, don't get married; if you can't even work out where to go to services, how are you POSSIBLY going to deal with the REALLY tough stuff? Marriage has nothing to do with being "fair." It has to do with getting along and compromise and finding workable solutions.

Question: interfaith marriage? How can a devoted Catholic woman overcome restrictions in the bible (which she believes in) to marry a non-Christian?

Answer: I suppose today's society isn't as tribal as the past societies or the ones you still see in 3rd world countries where women were nothing but chattel. Based on that it's quite simple today to find someone you love having most of the qualities you desire - yes, even in the religious sense. A devout Catholic women should be chaste and so must her husband. Both should have a pure state of mind and believe in God. There are many non-Christians who aren't Christians or Catholics but still have a sense of God, but are not ready to make a huge commitment to the Christian or Catholic faith if they're not ready yet. Many non-Christians are chaste, have pure, good hearts and I'm sure we all know not all Christians are better than non-Christians. I've met alot of non-Christians with hearts of gold that'd put many hollow-faithed and judgemental Christians to great shame if they were put together. It maybe a matter of time before this person actually decides to take God and Christ into his or her heart, or through the spouse's good conduct and deep faith, decide that, yes, the children are better off having a religion then just skulking around in the wide open space looking for something. So, I don't think we should judge non-Christians harshly - unless as individuals they have less-than-honourable conduct and character. It takes a lot of love, effort, acceptance and faith in God, as well as time, for the spouse to realise that yes, I want to accept Christ in my life. And of course, when the children come their religious beliefs will form naturally in the family.

Question: Does anyone know an Orthodox Christian Priest who supports Interfaith Marriage? My boyfriend and I are different religions and would like to get married. I am Muslim and he is Coptic Orthodox. I have found a sheikh that supports interfaith marriage (for both men and women) we are just looking to see if we can find an Orthodox Priest (not necessarily Coptic) who supports it also. So far we have only come across Priests that support inter-church marriage. Your help or direction would be greatly appreciated. :)

Answer: Islam typically accepts interfaith marriage with Christians and Jews. My father's Muslim and my mom is Lutheran, for example. But the Orthodox Church is very strongly against interfaith marriage. Even if there is an Orthodox priest who sees no problem with it, he will not marry you because his bishop might excommunicate him. Part of the reason is because marriage is a sacrament, and sacraments are not to be given to non-Christians.

Question: What do you think of interfaith marriage? My fiance is a Messianic Jewish woman, and I am a Catholic man.

Answer: If they both agree, than its okay.

Question: Why do people complain about interfaith marriage and interracial marriage? If you think it is wrong to ban interracial marriage, doesn't logic follow that you would accept interfaith marriage?

Answer: I personally couldn't care less who other people marry. If someone wants to marry someone of a different race, religion, etc. then that is their business and not mine. I think some people are against people of different faiths marrying because they think it will be hard for them to work through religious differences. For example, what faith will they raise the kids in?

Question: Has anyone here been in an INTERFAITH Marriage? How'd it work out? Are there any successful marriages here between a practicing Jewish believer and a practicing Christian believer. or Should this be something no-one should touch "with a 10 foot poll? "

Answer: My boyfriend is Jewish and I'm not. I would disagree that Jewish and Christians have the same God. One believes the Messiah has come and they worship him while the other is waiting on the Messiah. The religions could not be more opposite. If you both care deeply about your faith and you are Jewish and Christian I don't see how that could work out. You'll tell your children on Saturdays that they are waiting on the messiah but by every Sunday, he's arrived. To me, it doesn't make sense. But, a lot of things don't. Good luck.

Question: What's the key to having a successful interfaith marriage?

Answer: Love. Willingness to compromise. Ability to accept the other person's faith and respect it

Question: Why do orthodox jews forbid interfaith marriage? Is it really such a bad thing if both people love each other?

Answer: Moses agreed.

Question: If Kongsi raya and Depa Raya is accepted in this country then why not interfaith marriage? The late Yasser Arafat wife was a Roman Catholic,and each year he pay a visit to the church during Christmas and Good Friday. Even Indonesia the largest Muslim country allowed it, to pick my nose how truth is your religion To AQ you blame it on Christian but which religion allowed you to marry more than 1. Who is the culprit surely the one that want to married more one wife

Answer: Habis la... Macam nie, pindah ke indo lagi baik!! Jom, meh gi sama-sama..

Question: Do Ashkenazi Jews have interfaith marriage? Do they marry outside of the Jewish community with people from other religion or race? If they do, how often is that nowadays?

Answer: Most jews are secular and it's estimated that 40% of jews in the US are in "interfaith" marriages.

Question: Which catholic diocese in the Philippines allow interfaith marriage? thanks for the replies so far. esp. for the link to the catechism site. I do know that interfaith marriages are allowed. at least theoretically but the problem is when I inquired, I was told at the church that my diocese (cuabo) doesn't allow it. It occured to me that that my problem could be a stupid or lazy clerk giving the wrong info. but if anyone knows of a particular diocese in metro manila that they are really sure of that allows interfaith marriage, please post it. thanks.

Answer: The Catholic Church allows marriage between Catholics and non-Catholics worldwide. Because the Church recognizes the tremendous challenge that the interfaith couple will face, they may have to get permission from the bishop. With love in Christ.

Question: What is in the interfaith marriage rate for Jews? What percent of Jews today marry outside the faith?

Answer: it varies by which denomination of judaism you look at. according to the last census run on the American Jewish population in 2000: Orthodox <6% Conservative 32% Reform 46% Secular 49% you can see these figures and a discussion of their implications at: http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/WillYourGrandchildrenBeJews/

Question: What are your thoughts about interfaith marriage? Ramadan section.? Does anyone here have experience about this? if so, then how did it start? And how is it going now? What are your thoughts regarding this kind of marriage? I personally think that while clashing cultures and beliefs is taking a big risk, it is a very good way of expanding your knowledge about other cultures and teaching others of your cultures and beliefs.

Answer: Im not Muslim but I am realistic. Interfaith marriage is fine legally speaking but on a personal level it may not be if both parties have strong beliefs that are different than each other. So for example, a really strong believer in Islam would likely have arguments and tension with a partner who is a really strong believer in Christianity or maybe is an atheist etc. Since religion (or lack thereof) is such an important matter to us humans, it can create tension if you are trying to make a marriage work with someone whose core beliefs run contrary to yours. So realistically, either the beliefs have to not be so strong or you have to really be willing to compromise.

Question: why so much concern on interracial marriage? what about interfaith marriages? I think diversity is a great thing but people are always talking about interracial marriages but have very little concern about interfaith marriages, either way it is really nobodies business but I'm just curious. right or wrong, I was raised Irish-Catholic and teached that it was okay to marry a different race as long as they were catholics or would convert to catholism. I am just interested why peoples color often seperates them more then their beliefs, what sense does that make.

Answer: I have no problem with inter-racial marraiges, but I do believe that spouses should have the same religion. My previous boyfriend whom I loved endlessly wasn't a Christian. I would never date anyone that isn't a Christian ever again. It's just too much pain...

Question: Are you in an interfaith marriage? What is your experience? Particularly with children? Thanks Solarius. Can I ask if you are at all practicing or atleast have a strong belief?

Answer: Been there, done that, and will not do it again. :-/ My child was too young when we split up, my child is a Christian like myself.

Question: Is having an interfaith marriage a great way of fighting war, hatred, and prejudice?

Answer: I tried an interfaith relationship. Let's just say that atheists and fundamentalist Christians don't mix well....especially their social circles.

Question: Does anyone know of a Catholic Priest who will do an interfaith marriage outside of a church in Long Island NY I am trying to help a friend out.... He is Catholic and his soon to be wife is Jewish. We found a Rabbi for her faith easily but it is almost impossible to find a Catholic Priest who will do an interfaith marriage esp. outside of a church. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer: This is who I'm using for my wedding in July. He's a great guy, and will probably travel to Long Island. Give him a call or drop him an email. http://www.weddingsbyfatherbernard.com/about.html I'm Catholic and this was the first Priest I could find who would do it outside the Catholic Church. He also does interfaith weddings. Good luck!

Question: How committed to their faith are most people in interfaith marriages? Chelsea Clinton's marriage to Marc Mezvinsky was interfaith. I am Christian and would want to marry a Christian. I could never compromise Christ for anyone. Many comments on the on-line Israeli newspaper, Haaretz.com expressed sadness that Marc married “out”. What do you think of interfaith marriages?

Answer: For Christians, the Bible commands that we do not marry interfaith. It was commanded several times. However, the Bible also clearly states man's sinful nature. I'm sure that this one commandment is just one of the many that have been broken by followers. Love is a powerful emotion, and not everyone can place it second to their faith. I think it's easier to follow the whims of your heart, as sinful creatures, than it is to instinctively please God (something you cannot see). Personally, I will never compromise my faith for a worldly love/lust relationship, but not all Christians have that kind of conviction. Interfaith marriages *could* theoretically work, but bottom line-- If you're an avid Christian, and you marry out of your faith, then you aren't pleasing God, and that should be every Christian's priority.

Question: Whats harder, an interfaith marriage, internationality marriage, or interracial marriage? i have a feeling i spelled every word wrong in my question my parents dont like any of the above, i dont really understand their reasoning as to why not, but what do yall think which is harder to deal with? an arabi from a different country a person from a different race or maybe someone from ur country but different religion? im just curious, as always

Answer: this is a hard one. i am an american christian married to a palestinian muslim. sometimes it is hard for me to tell if it is the culture or the religion that cause our difficulties. my solution? immerse myself in arabic culture and revert to islam (which makes more sense to me anyway). never have i felt such a peace as when i made that decision. luckily, we love each other very much and therefore don't let differences get in our way. all in all though i think it depends on how open minded the people are in the relationship. there is no too great an obstacle for true love to overcome! :)