Different Religions?

[DANgerousEJ]

What is your opinion on getting married to someone with a different religion? In this case I'll say Catholic and Christian. I mean, the Bible says to be equally yoked, but what does that mean? Do you have to make a complete list of yourself and find somebody that has the exact same qualities, values, etc.? I think you would be just setting yourself up to fail. Nobody is gonna be a perfect match for you right or am I just confused?

 

[Sketcher]

1. There are many saved Catholics out there.

2. I would never marry one because we differ so much on traditions. I believe a husband and a wife should work as a team together, with shared values for the sake of their children. If I were to marry a Catholic, she might teach our children to pray to saints, which I don't believe in and wouldn't condone. Rather than face that friction, I won't marry a Catholic.

 

[Shalia]

I think there are too many things that can already cause difficulty and stress in a marriage w/o adding religion differences into it.

No one can make a "perfect mate sheet" and then go shopping. <Sometimes it'd be nice though... well, my husband is a keeper anyways!> But you *can* make sure you sit down, think about what values are essential to you in a marriage partner, and settle for nothing less.

As an example, mine might have been Christian (preferably charismatic/pentacostal) <similarity in worship styles is a plus>, good with children, wants less than two kids, doesn't expect me to be a stay at home mom, good with money cause I'm terrible at it, respects his mom <I think that says a lot about how a guy will treat you throughout life>, etc.

Your list will probably be different. Those would have been things I would NOT have strayed off of. <Well, had I been Christian at the time I got married...> Then I have all my fun stuff like "and I prefer blue or green eyes, thin not muscular, and no back hair." Those are compromisable issues, although technically on my "perfect mate list".

Seriously, though. Sit down, think about what is vital to you in a marriage. What do you absolutely insist on from anyone you would consister marrying? Make sure your list isn't totally unrealistic, and make sure you have nothing unbiblical in your list. Then start dating from there.

Shalia - who hopes some of this makes sense.

 

[issa]

are you planning to marry someone from a different religion? just curious about your motivation. do you believe in Christ as your Savior?

i'd say pray about it. is that what God really wants for you? would that decision make you closer to God?

when confused, go back to the basics. the most important commandment is to love God above all. then, we love others as ourselves.

God bless you and guide you!

 

[bliz]

My Catholic friends would thank you to remember that Catholisism is a Christian religion. Of course, worshiping in a Catholic church does not automatically make one a Christian, just as worshiping in a Baptist or Methodist or Pentacostal or any other Protestant church does not guarantee one salvation.

Having said that, there are some major differences between many Christians, differences that should not keep us from appreciating and learning from one another, but differences that would make it hard to share a life together.

For example, I live near a lot of people in a small denomination that believes that during worship only the Psalms chould be sung, without musical instruments. They further believe that any other form of "worship" is not in fact worship as God has ordained. We believe in the same God, that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation and a lot of other beliefs we hold in common, but making a life together, worshiping together, or not, and raising children together would be very difficult!

 

[DANgerousEJ]

Well, I'm not even close to marrying anyone...have to get myself straightened out first.

I was just wondering though, because I have set my standards to high in the past and didn't find anybody that fit them. Then I lowered my standards..way too low...and didn't have a problem meeting people at all. This caused me to start living a sinful life though. So I quit all that and now I'm single and searching...searching for God that is. I was just wondering though, what peoples views were though on dating somebody with a different religion.

 

[issa]

i know what you mean, we are in the same boat. i know im not yet ready for a serious relationship and that i have to focus more on Him. God sometimes tests us though. im sad to say that i did fail too. i lowered my standards and it didnt turn out ok so here i am alone again but closer to Him, which is good. this is how we grow