Dating/marrying outside your religion

[RACooper]

I've never had a problem with it - and actually it was quite an interesting way to learn about another faith... or interpretation of faith. That being said though I really only dated those comfortable with their faith... can't stand the fundies, born-again's, or fanatics or any stripe.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by RACooper
I've never had a problem with it - and actually it was quite an interesting way to learn about another faith... or interpretation of faith. That being said though I really only dated those comfortable with their faith... can't stand the fundies, born-again's, or fanatics or any stripe.

But what if they were uncomfortable with your faith/other faiths (or have parents who are?)?

[aephi alum]

Originally posted by kansas13
Plus, if you are different Religions (like Jewish and Christian) at least you won't have to fight with your family/in-laws as to where to go for the holidays!!

Hee hee, very true. I was raised Catholic and converted to Judaism. My husband and I spend Christmas with my folks and Passover with his folks.

Originally posted by Buttonz
I could never marry someone who wasn't born Jewish.

What about someone who converted? Specifically, someone who converted for his own reasons and not just for you?

Anyway... I'm surprised that I didn't mention this when I first started this thread. Part of what prompted me to start the thread, was that I did have a certain boyfriend back when I was in college, and when things started to get serious between us, he demanded that I convert to his religion - Judaism, as it happened - because he wouldn't marry someone who wasn't Jewish. I was a lapsed Catholic at the time. I refused, saying that if I were to choose a religion, it would be for my own reasons and not for someone else's sake. Needless to say, that was the end of our relationship.

When my husband and I started talking about marriage, he told me up front that he didn't care what religion I followed as long as our children would be raised Jewish. I agreed, because I wasn't strongly tied to Catholicism or anything else. But I figured that if my husband and kids were going to be Jewish, I should have a more formal introduction to Judaism, so I signed up for a class... and to make a long story short, now I'm Jewish.

[PM_Mama00]

Lol I didn't read this whole thread but it kind of reminds me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding where Ian converts to Greek Orthodox for Tula and he's getting baptized!

Originally posted by RACooper
I've never had a problem with it - and actually it was quite an interesting way to learn about another faith... or interpretation of faith. That being said though I really only dated those comfortable with their faith... can't stand the fundies, born-again's, or fanatics or any stripe.

So I guess that means we'll never go out while I'm in Canada huh? That makes me sad.

[AUDeltaGam]

I wouldn't have a problem with it, as long as he respected my beliefs. (BTW, I'm Jewish).

My mom is Jewish and my dad isn't and there has never been a problem

[Buttonz]

Originally posted by aephi alum

What about someone who converted? Specifically, someone who converted for his own reasons and not just for you?

If he converted, and not just for me, then I would be okay with it. I don't know how I would feel though if the only reason he would do it was because of me.

[Dionysus]

Christians are fine, but NO BIBLE THUMPERS.

Originally posted by Dionysus
Christians are fine, but NO BIBLE THUMPERS.

What qualifies as a "Bible Thumper"? Just curious.

[Dionysus]

Originally posted by ADPiZXalum
What qualifies as a "Bible Thumper"? Just curious.

Someone who is annoyingly religious (but not spiritual). Kind of like my father, he quotes the bible like ten times a day.

[RACooper]

Originally posted by Dionysus
Someone who is annoyingly religious (but not spiritual). Kind of like my father, he quotes the bible like ten times a day.

Kinda what I said...

The problem is that most "bible thumpers" i've dealt with only understand a surface or literal meaning of the Bible ~ so it is almost impossible to hold a somewhat intelligent or meaningful discussion of faith.... and no matter how physically atractive someone is I need the intelligence too.

[kstar]

Originally posted by RACooper
Kinda what I said...

The problem is that most "bible thumpers" i've dealt with only understand a surface or literal meaning of the Bible ~ so it is almost impossible to hold a somewhat intelligent or meaningful discussion of faith.... and no matter how physically atractive someone is I need the intelligence too.

Co-sign

I don't think that any religion would bother me, so long as they respected my Judaism. I was raised in a multi-religious household, my mother was born a Jew, yet decided to convert to Methodism along with her father, while my grandmother and I still went to temple. My father was raised Southern Baptist, but turned his back on that faith because he felt it was full of hypocrits. He takes very seriously the passage that states: "Worship me in a closet, not on street corners, for those who do are hypocrits." So he calls himself a "closet Christian." Having grown up with such a variety of faiths, it was instilled in me to be respectful of all beliefs.

I guess what it comes down to, is that I want someone with faith, whatever it might be, but not someone "religious."

[christiangirl]

I would never date outside of my religion and certainly wouldn't marry away from it, it's simple logic to me. Whoever I marry is going to be moving through life with me.....it would be ideal that we are going in the same direction. My first and most important goal in life is to do God's will and follow whatever path that will help me to do that. If a man is not on the same path and does not abide by the same guidelines that I do, how could we possibly be a good match? We could never truly have a complimentary relationship if I spend my whole life working toward something he doesn't even believe is real or true. And if he has a different religion, I would respect the difference, but I wouldn't support it....and what kind of wife could I be to him if I couldn't support what he's given his soul to? It's really that simple.

[ADqtPiMel]

I'm Catholic and I wouldn't have a problem with any religion except maybe athiesm. I have no problem with athiests but I don't think I could marry one.

My family, on the other hand, would have a HUGE problem with me marrying a Protestant of any kind. And any children of mine will be raised Catholic.

[EPTriSigma]

I am Roman Catholic and my boyfriend is Jewish. We will be spending the holiday season together so it should be interesting. His family has been open to it more so than mine has.