Christian marrying a muslim

Assuming the love is mutual, and there's no reason to doubt it is in this case, could these two people compromise and expose the kids to both religions and them decide?

If the kids pick one religion over the other or walk away from religion entirely, will either parent punish the children in any way?

I think that there is two things to consider.
1)Is the man muslim because of his personal beliefs or because of parents beliefs?
2)Is the man devout in his belief or a secular muslim?

If #1 then it could be ok, if secular then perhaps ok too, but if devout then not ok at all.
From what I know Islam considers children muslim if one parent is muslim and in non Islamic countries that isn't a problem
but in some Islamic countries it can be one for children who are Christians in belief.

I personally think unless the father is also a Christian in belief that it falls in the unequally yoked advice given to new testament believers in Christ.

jen76 said:

What do you think of christian woman marrying a muslim man?
What about, if they have children and comes the religion issue about children's religion?
Should the christian allow her children to become muslims as their father, if he insists it, since birth or not?

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It is much easier to do preventative maintenance in order to keep something healthy than to try to fix something after it has been broken, so I think there is value in every couple seeing a marriage counselor (preferably Christian) before getting married, even if everything is going fine, but especially if there are cultural differences. One of both of them might be bringing expectations or assumptions into the marriage that the other might not share, and there are many other things that they might not think about that are good to iron out before hand. For instance, two people might have different opinions on what an appropriate way to discipline potential children is, especially if they are from different cultures, or they might have different opinions about whether to send their potential children to a public or private school. The religion of their potential children is a major issue, so they should be on the same page about these sorts of things before they get married.

And if she allows, do you think that the god will make them christians, if it's his will, no matter what, so the christian mother wouldn't need to worry so much, but to let it to god's hands?

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If this were the case, then God would not have given the Great Commission and commanded to train children up in the way that they should go. The training of the children is a big reason why the Bible says not to be unequally yoked.

Muslim men usually have no problem marrying Christian women... however it's contrary to their traditions for a Muslim woman to marry a Christian. Of course civil marriages are permitted regardless of religion... You also need to think long and hard about this as you don't just marry the man you will have to deal with his family as well and so will he... He'll have to deal with your family.. The children... bringing up children in a home that is already conflicted is usually an up hill situation. If there's a divorce later on there are more problems even with or without religious issues...

jen76 said:

What do you think of christian woman marrying a muslim man?
What about, if they have children and comes the religion issue about children's religion?
Should the christian allow her children to become muslims as their father, if he insists it, since birth or not?
And if she allows, do you think that the god will make them christians, if it's his will, no matter what, so the christian mother wouldn't need to worry so much, but to let it to god's hands?
Tell me also your opinions about this whole subject.

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I don't know, honestly. There are many factors to consider.

I think there could be inherent conflict in an inter-faith marriage - but it really depends on the individuals involved. What particular denomination or strand of the religions is observed by the individuals? What does each denomination or strand expect regarding such marriages & the rearing of children? What sort of pressure might be present from extended family members or the religious community, particularly involving children? What would be the ramifications for each individual & possibly children should the marriage end in divorce?

These questions should be weighed carefully & answered honestly, putting aside any emotional investment. Getting outside help from a counselor would probably be a good idea.

I'm concerned about the "God's will" question. I think if it is agreed that a child will be taught to follow the religion of parent A, then parent B should be prepared to support that choice, not secretly waiting to see if it doesn't work out. Of course, a child will grow up & eventually make their own religious choices.

If this situation is more than hypothetical, I think again that seeing a counselor would be a good idea.

Paul advises us (Christians) to marry within the faith. If a Christian wants their children brought up Christian, then I think they should marry a Christian. Interfaith marriages can turn into headaches, especially for the wives.

It's against the Christian faith for anyone to marry outside of the faith. The only exception to this, scripturally, is if a non-Christian couple is married and then one coverts to Christianity after marriage. Then, they stay married at the discretion of the non-Christian member of the couple.

For the Christian, everything can be related back to communion/eucharist. Marriage is a sacrament. It is also considered a martyrdom. You deny yourself for the sake of your spouse. You also aren't joined together with someone who also isn't in communion. When one is baptized into Christ they are part of the body of Christ- the temple of the Holy Spirit- receiving Christ in the Holy Mysteries. Being joined to someone who isn't also in communion/part of the body of Christ is a serious thing to us. It's a big no no.

Well as a Left Hand Pather and also a Pagan I can say that it is very easy to have a relationship with a person of a Christian background. My brother is an atheist and married a Catholic and they have a child, the child is raised like any other Christian would raise their child . . . as an atheist.

Me and my long term girlfriend are opposites on totally different spectrum considering that she is Christian. We get along well on the basis that religion is not important, we have no interest in children and no child should be forced to accept something based on the principles of faith and not reason. If something is reasonable it will naturally be present for them to realize.

It is very simple in my opinion

According to Islam the children are expected to have the religion of the father. This is why it is OK for a Moslem man to marry a Christian woman, but not for a Moslem woman to marry a Christian man. Of course, some "Moslems" are Moslems only in name, but if the religion mean anything to the man - he will expect his children to be raised Moslem. Therefore, if a Christian woman decides to marry a Moslem, she should be prepared that her children will be Moslems - not Christians.

We also know that religion often becomes more important for someone who becomes a father or mother. So, even if the Moslem man is not very devout before marriage, he may very well become more devout as soon as he becomes a father. Then he will push harder for his children to be raised in his faith

TheNorwegian said:

According to Islam the children are expected to have the religion of the father. This is why it is OK for a Moslem man to marry a Christian woman, but not for a Moslem woman to marry a Christian man. Of course, some "Moslems" are Moslems only in name, but if the religion mean anything to the man - he will expect his children to be raised Moslem. Therefore, if a Christian woman decides to marry a Moslem, she should be prepared that her children will be Moslems - not Christians.

We also know that religion often becomes more important for someone who becomes a father or mother. So, even if the Moslem man is not very devout before marriage, he may very well become more devout as soon as he becomes a father. Then he will push harder for his children to be raised in his faith

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As a former Muslim there are some issues with this I can spot out. Modern Muslims disregard this on the basis that Christianity breaks Tawhid, the defining element on why a Muslim is permitted to have a halal relationship with a Christian woman is on the basis of Tawhid and the Trinitarian doctrine violates this which is why pious Muslims or Mu'min would not allow this.

EnemyOfReason said:

As a former Muslim there are some issues with this I can spot out. Modern Muslims disregard this on the basis that Christianity breaks Tawhid, the defining element on why a Muslim is permitted to have a halal relationship with a Christian woman is on the basis of Tawhid and the Trinitarian doctrine violates this which is why pious Muslims or Mu'min would not allow this.

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Which part/sect of Islam did you belong to? If Sunni, which school?

I know several Moslems being married to Christian women. And the OP is based on the fact that Moslems and Christians do marry. So, it obviously do happen. However, one of my point was that the man may become more devout after marriage

TheNorwegian said:

Which part/sect of Islam did you belong to? If Sunni, which school?

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I was of the Hanaf'i madhabb, although I degenerated from it and became more liberal and took time to disregard the primary 4. Also they are not sects since their teachings are not the issue, it is their implimentation of fiqh which differs it is like comparing a liberal Catholic to a fundamentalist Catholic. The importance of things differs.

I know several Moslems being married to Christian women. And the OP is based on the fact that Moslems and Christians do marry. So, it obviously do happen. However, one of my point was that the man may become more devout after marriage

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I am well aware that they marry and this is common. The issue is that it causes strife int he family because this is something that generally speaking the older generations do not like although if you are a Turkish, South East Asian or Lebanonese Muslim this is not an issue for the most part.

I am just referring to classical interpretation of fiqh and Islami-qanun

EnemyOfReason said:

I am well aware that they marry and this is common. The issue is that it causes strife int he family because this is something that generally speaking the older generations do not like although if you are a Turkish, South East Asian or Lebanonese Muslim this is not an issue for the most part.

I am just referring to classical interpretation of fiqh and Islami-qanun

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Even easier it is if someone is Bosnian. Most Bosnian Moslems seem pretty relaxed about inter-faith marriage.
I do also know examples of Turkish Moslem girls, marrying Christian men

seashale76 said:

What I posted is the actual Christian belief on the matter. What I don't get is why you seem to feel like you can mock it here on a Christian website.

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Over the years, there have been multiple Christians who have posted here explaining how Christians should not fraternize with non-Christians (let alone marry them) because the non-Christians will lead the Christian astray or otherwise corrupt them. I've been in a mixed religious marriage for 15 years and the religious differences are a non-issue, so I think the rule about only marrying in the faith is based on fear and isecurity; much like cooties.

awitch said:

Over the years, there have been multiple Christians who have posted here explaining how Christians should not fraternize with non-Christians (let alone marry them) because the non-Christians will lead the Christian astray or otherwise corrupt them. I've been in a mixed religious marriage for 15 years and the religious differences are a non-issue, so I think the rule about only marrying in the faith is based on fear and isecurity; much like cooties.

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Whether or not you're in a mixed marriage and how people 'feel' is irrelevant. One either follows what their faith has laid out to do or they do not- and Christians are not to marry out.

awitch said:

Over the years, there have been multiple Christians who have posted here explaining how Christians should not fraternize with non-Christians (let alone marry them) because the non-Christians will lead the Christian astray or otherwise corrupt them. I've been in a mixed religious marriage for 15 years and the religious differences are a non-issue, so I think the rule about only marrying in the faith is based on fear and isecurity; much like cooties.

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Jews are forbidden from marrying non-Jews. I don't really see a problem with people who are orthodox within their religion abstaining from marrying outside of it were the religion to call for that.

A Christian should not marry a Muslim. Scripture expressly states not to be yoked to an unbeliever.

I think it's a terrible idea. Christians should not be unequally yoked. Christians should especially not want to risk having a Muslim child. Better they stay a pagan and find Christ on their own should they leave the faith, than to be brainwashed a Muslim who denies the divinity of Christ and hangs onto the words of a murderous prophet.