Delete- former edited his post.

:lol: :lol:

 

When I'm at work, I sometimes post too fast and forget to include other (usually essential) parts of my posts...like the first paragraph in the above post. Sorry.

A little off subject, but not really in most cases. Let's say there is an inter-faith marriage where children are involved. I pose the following question:

 

Would a child not have a greater experience, or be better prepared to face the struggles, if they are introduced to a wide range of beliefs with the option of forming their own spiritual beliefs?

Most Christians are objectivists, believing that there are moral absolutes. This is why Catholics and other denominations disagree so adamantly- they agree on so much, but each holds strongly to the more minute details, because both sides believe there is one true answer, not multiple. It is confusing, especially to a child, to believe in moral absolutes while getting different answers to the same question (such as the Pope, sola scriptura, etc.)

 

Children will be bombarded with different philosophies regardless of what parents do. Our society & media generally portrays a philosophy of hedonistic, instant self-gratification through consumerism. As a Catholic in Kentucky, I've been questioned about my belief my multiple Protestants, and by atheists about a belief in God (thanks, in part, to you ). For some reason, parents teaching their children about religion is shunned upon as "sheltering" and limiting them to one perspective, but anyone else's influence is OK.

 

People will be influenced in many different ways, but if I think my belief system is the truth, then I'm surely going to try to pass it on. That doesn't mean my child can't "form his own spiritual beliefs"...I wouldn't disown a kid for thinking differently. But I'm going to try my best to pass the truth on.

Never been an issue with me although I have seen it be a major with others.

 

I was lucky in the girl I was serious with in college was Catholic and the one I ended up marrying was Catholic as well. So I never had any personal problems with who I was with and religion. By the way I am Catholic.

Most Christians are objectivists, believing that there are moral absolutes. This is why Catholics and other denominations disagree so adamantly- they agree on so much, but each holds strongly to the more minute details, because both sides believe there is one true answer, not multiple. It is confusing, especially to a child, to believe in moral absolutes while getting different answers to the same question (such as the Pope, sola scriptura, etc.)

 

Children will be bombarded with different philosophies regardless of what parents do. Our society & media generally portrays a philosophy of hedonistic, instant self-gratification through consumerism. As a Catholic in Kentucky, I've been questioned about my belief my multiple Protestants, and by atheists about a belief in God (thanks, in part, to you ). For some reason, parents teaching their children about religion is shunned upon as "sheltering" and limiting them to one perspective, but anyone else's influence is OK.

 

People will be influenced in many different ways, but if I think my belief system is the truth, then I'm surely going to try to pass it on. That doesn't mean my child can't "form his own spiritual beliefs"...I wouldn't disown a kid for thinking differently. But I'm going to try my best to pass the truth on.

Honestly, you're right and this is the part I have a hard time getting past...

Are they not both forms of discrimination though?

 

Please don't throw around words like that. I think Guiness is delicious and I don't care for Miller Lite because its brewing process and the ingredients used are subpar. My choice to drink Guiness is discrimination. The malice of racism is that it's discrimination based on race without any other basis for such discrimination. When you see a really attractive woman, do you react to her differently than an very homely one? If you do, then that's discrimination as well. Dating someone from the same religion as you means that, more often than not, you want the same things out of life, have similar goals and a similar worldview. People who share those things are the ones it's easiest for us to date, easiest for us to talk to, easiest for us to love. Isn't that what we're all looking for in someone to be with for the rest of our lives?

Dating someone from the same religion as you means that, more often than not, you want the same things out of life, have similar goals and a similar worldview. People who share those things are the ones it's easiest for us to date, easiest for us to talk to, easiest for us to love. Isn't that what we're all looking for in someone to be with for the rest of our lives?

 

They don't have to be the same religion to want the same things out of life, goals or even a similar worldview.

A little off subject, but not really in most cases. Let's say there is an inter-faith marriage where children are involved. I pose the following question:

 

Would a child not have a greater experience, or be better prepared to face the struggles, if they are introduced to a wide range of beliefs with the option of forming their own spiritual beliefs?

I realize I'm walking on thin ice when I reference the Bible in the P&R forum of BGP, but because it is the foundation upon which I have personally chosen to build my faith, values and worldview, I would be dishonest to answer any other way. So here goes...

 

Solomon advises us in Proverbs, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

 

From this and many other similar instructions I believe it is Christian and Jewish parents duty to instruct their children how they are to behave, what they should believe and why, values, virtues, morals, etc, etc. Clearly there are many poor parents out there with addictions; fanatical, confused or virtually non-existent beliefs and other personal issues that diminish their ability to properly influence their spawn. That does not take away the value of good parents providing sound instruction to their children. IMO, for Christians, this is not the primary job of schools, governments or other entities, but the duty of parents.

 

When children are old enough to leave the house, go to college, go to work, go to get on with their own lives, they will be free to expand their horizons if mom and dad were too narrow... or blindly wrong.

 

As for my children, they have been brought up to understand the basic tenets of many world religions, math, science, history, appropriate art, music and literature for their ages, etc. Of course their mother and I have grounded them in a solid understanding of what we believe is God's Word and why we believe the things we do. They have also been properly secularized so they will not be cast into the cold cruel world as naive innocents incapable of dealing with the challenges of life. They are not narrow-minded intolerant or hyper-judgmental. Because they have an understanding of right and wrong, good and bad, lost and found, mercy, grace and love; they are in fact, kindhearted, compassionate and loving.

 

My wife and I are huge proponents of lifelong learning and curiosity. We practice it ourselves and encourage it in our kids. I have no doubt they will enjoy productive, meaningful and fulfilled lives.

 

My goal has not been to brianwash them, but to intelligently and consistently inform them. This growth and instruction has made my faith greater in the process.

Need to agree on 3 crucial things: Faith, Finances, & Family (how many kids we having & when).

 

Well said, although I'm of the opinion that having A Faith is better than the same faith; but it definately should be discussed beforehand.

 

Being a bit older than many on here, I remember distinctly growing up Methodist in a virtually all Catholic neighborhood; and actually not being allowed to attend kid's parties, overnights, etc. by some of my Catholic buddies' parents. My grandmother was shocked when I went out with a "Catholic Girl"??

 

Being a typical kid, I decided I'd try dating some others of "them" after that!! Ultimately married "one of them", converted and our kids have all graduated from Catholic schools. Twenty five years later, I'm glad I broadened my horizons to look at other religions, and have found most to have similar basic beliefs.

They don't have to be the same religion to want the same things out of life, goals or even a similar worldview.

 

Getslow didn't say that they have to be....but naturally, those of the same religion have the same perspectives on thing, so its understandable and normal for them to be natural partners. That is not to say that perfect marriage can't come from couples of different religions.

Getslow didn't say that they have to be....but naturally, those of the same religion have the same perspectives on thing, so its understandable and normal for them to be natural partners. That is not to say that perfect marriage can't come from couples of different religions.

 

My wife are the same religion we have some very different perspectives on several things. I don't see how religion affects picking a partner. I can see where it can for some people. It also depends on where you are from. Different areas no matter the religion have similar thoughts on things in life.

My wife are the same religion we have some very different perspectives on several things. I don't see how religion affects picking a partner. I can see where it can for some people. It also depends on where you are from. Different areas no matter the religion have similar thoughts on things in life.

I hope I don't come off as argumentative, and I don't think you are either, but, like Getslow said, more often than not, people with the same religions have the same way of looking at things, expectations in terms of behavior, future plans, etc. That's not to say that people within religions disagree, or that people with different religions can't have a healthy marriage. Just that, more often than not, it's understandable why we tend to connect better with people are similarly minded to us in religion.

I hope I don't come off as argumentative, and I don't think you are either, Just that, more often than not, it's understandable why we tend to connect better with people are similarly minded to us in religion.

 

I am not trying to be arguementative either but connecting with people for me has had nothing to do with religion. When I was dating I didn't inquire what religion someone practiced. To me it was not that important. I was more worried about what type of person they were and not what church they attend. I know some that are the total opposite of that would only date someone if they were of the same religion. I feel you should be more open than that and not let religion dictate your relationships.

I am not trying to be arguementative either but connecting with people for me has had nothing to do with religion. When I was dating I didn't inquire what religion someone practiced. To me it was not that important. I was more worried about what type of person they were and not what church they attend. I know some that are the total opposite of that would only date someone if they were of the same religion. I feel you should be more open than that and not let religion dictate your relationships.

I'll assume when you say "you", it is a reference in general, not specifically to me.

I'll assume when you say "you", it is a reference in general, not specifically to me.

 

Yes in general.

They don't have to be the same religion to want the same things out of life, goals or even a similar worldview.

 

O, yeah the really do.

 

Christianity teaches that Jesus the Way the Truth and the Life and only through Him will you get into Heaven.

 

Others don't.

 

That would definitely be wanting the same things out of life and having worldviews that are different because of the religion.