Interfaith families

Was anyone raised in an itnterfaith household or raising children or planning to raise children in one? I'm on and off reading a very inspiring book about this and I thought it's worthwhile to start a discussion

Re: Interfaith families

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Message edited 5/2/2007 2:52:37 PM.

Re: Interfaith families

I feel exactly the same way. I think the important thing is that the child loves God and knows God loves him/her. And the child should have a strong moral foundation and be a kind, giving, honest, good person. We figured we would celebrate both sets of holidays in the light of celebrating god, and bring our kids to temple and church on alternating weeks. I want them to understand that god is in both places, and when they're old enough to understand the difference, then it'll be explained in an age appropriate manner. Eventually kids realize there are other religions out there. I think their lives will be richer for being a part of two unique cultures.

Re: Interfaith families

Message edited 5/2/2007 2:52:56 PM.

Re: Interfaith families

I'm gald to hear it's working out so well. Everyone is giving us all of these warnings about how it could never work out and we're headed for divorce and emotionally disturbed serial killer kids or something. I just don't get it. People have had to face much bigger differences in marriage than religion and gotten through it. it isn't to say that religion isn't big, but if you both have the same morals and you respect each other I don't see why it can't work out. This was the first year Fh had his own place and we consider it "our" household even though I don't live there full time, and to me it was so comforting to come home to a christmas tree and a menorah, and it's so enriching to learn about a lot of things I would not have otherwise learned.

Re: Interfaith families

I am Catholic, DH is Jewish. At first we were going to teach our children our religions ourselves but after many of discussions and both of us come from praticing but not really praticing families that it would be better to go with one and just teach the other.
We also agreed that they needed "spiritualism" in their lives.

Traditionally we felt, religion goes with the mother, so we had our marriage recognized by the Catholic church so we could baptize our children. Our children will go to religious instructions, make communion, confirmation etc. but will be going to services, understand seder, learn the jewish prayer, understand the meanings behind passover, hanukah etc. If they grow up and feel more of a pull towards judaism, that will their decision.

So far, no kids yet, but our blended religious family works so very well and is balanced equally. I appreciate and participate in the jewish religion, he does the same for mine.

Re: Interfaith families

I think the Catholic w/ the Jewish holidays and knowledge works very very well because celebratng jewish holdiays ad saying Jewish prayers dones't itnerfere with being catholic in any way. In fact I feel it enhances the experience because you're participating in things Jesus himself participated in (Passover, etc).

Re: Interfaith families

Re: Interfaith families

I was born Jewish but we are a Christian household, but we plan on acknowledging the Jewish faith since it is where I began and both DH and I feel that being Jewish and becoming a Christian is sort of a full circle.....

Re: Interfaith families