Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

Message edited 5/21/2006 1:05:36 AM.

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

Being that you are an interfaith couple -- could your godparents be interfaith too?

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

I'm Catholic, DH was raised Jewish but is agnostic. We agreed before we married that our children would be raised Catholic and I would be responsible for their religious education. DH agreed to participate in events such as christenings, first communion, etc. but wouldn't come with us to weekly mass. DH also agreed that if in the future he wanted the children to learn about his heritage, he would be responsible for that.

We asked my mom and my brother to be the godparents. Most of my family is not catholic (we have a little of everything, jewish, lutheran, etc. due to other interfaith marriages over time) and I wanted 2 catholics. But my pastor was willing to have 1 catholic and 1 non catholic. I just felt like if it really came time that the godparents needed to step in to ensure that they were raised in the catholic faith, how would someone not catholic do that?

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

Well, we decided that we are raising the children Jewish - Hebrew School, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the whole nine yards, so I'd prefer not to.

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

Message edited 5/21/2006 1:06:17 AM.

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

these links might help:

link 1

link 2

even though i have converted, my siblings are obviously not jewish, so i am in a similiar situation.

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

Couldn't you have 2 godfathers?

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

My mom is Jewish; my dad is Catholic. We were raised Catholic.

When I was living with my ex boyfriend who was Jewish, he was obsessed with the fact that I was raised Catholic, wanted me to convert, etc even though his rabbi said I'm considered Jewish. Anyway, he read a book which he said was very helpful.

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

well if you arent even gonna raise your children Jewish (bar/bat mitzvah etc) then you wouldnt even need to have any kind of ceremony and godparents

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

BOth my husband & I are Catholic so this didn't come up. but, if my husband was a different religion & went to temple or wherever & I didn't go to church. I would feel that we should raise them that religion.

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

Are you raising your children in a religion or a culture? Meaning...that often people raise their children in a certain religion, but really they are just doing the holidays and some major events, not really observing the religious aspects. Maybe if you are not planning to be very religious then the godparent's faith is not as important.
If you plan on raising your children Jewish you need to speak with your Temple about Godparents..I am not sure that Jewish children have them or not. If your brother would agree to aid and support your child in the Jewish Faith then I think it is fine that they are the godparent, but only if your Temple agrees.

Maybe a meeting with a Rabi would be a really good idea so he can help you with this decision.

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

I'm fairly certain that jewish families don't practice the godparent thing, although it has really become an "american" tradition...

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

My husband and I are also an interfaith couple. I'm Jewish, he's Catholic. My husband is not very religious and can't even remember that last time he went to church.

In the Jewish religion only boys have godparents. We decided to raise our son Jewish. When he was born we had a bris. The agreement being that our son will also celebrate the Catholic holidays. My husband is happy with this agreement. He is only 11 months so who knows if this agreement will work when gets older.

My husband's family actively participated in the bris ceremony. I spoke with the rabbi beforehand and he had no problem with his family being involved. However they are not godparents. I have more than one godmother because I could not choose between my sister and best friend. My rabbi was also open to this. Maybe you can have two godfathers?

Message edited 9/11/2013 10:38:56 PM.

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

My cousin is catholic and married a jewish man they raise the kids both they did a bris for thier son and also had a christening they want thier child to know both faiths. I don't know if its a good thing or would confuse the child later but at least the child gets to know both religions and will be able to decide on his own which he would like to follow

Message edited 2/28/2006 11:06:55 AM.

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

Message edited 3/4/2006 12:40:21 PM.

Re: Not a parent, but would like your input regarding interfaith couples and children?

would your BIL be willing to help raise the children in the Jewish faith? If he is (even though he is not Jewish), you could consider him.