Has anyone here married into an interfaith family?

[Anonymous]

We have a large interfaith extended family with a Christian branch of several denominations and a Jewish branch of two denominations. Everyone practices their faith to some extent except one person. It works for us, but I’m wondering about my middle and youngest adult children who have not yet married. What will it be like for their partners? Has anyone married into an interfaith family? How did you and your family of origin adjust?

[Anonymous]

How about you let them live their lives?

[Anonymous]

My mother is white Catholic and my father is East Asian Buddhist. They don't practice their religions here, especially not my mother, who went to school with the nuns and doesn't have great memories of that, but their general worldviews align. My father does practice when he visits his family in his home country.

I am culturally Catholic but do not practice, and my husband is atheist. He has come with me and the kids to church and has no issue at all with me teaching my children all about Catholicism, and various other religions. His family is Buddhist as well, although not the same type as my father's.

All the interfaith marriages I've seen work well, probably because each person in the couple places their relationship with their spouse above their relationship with their religion.

[Anonymous]

My quest is less about making an interfaith relationship work between a couple than how is it as someone from a mono-religious family background marrying into a family where multiple religions are observed.

I’ve always grown up with multiple religions in the family. My adult children don’t know any different either. I’m curious how people who didn’t grow up that way adjust to their partner’s family. Is there anything that the interfaith family did to help you feel more comfortable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My quest is less about making an interfaith relationship work between a couple than how is it as someone from a mono-religious family background marrying into a family where multiple religions are observed.

I’ve always grown up with multiple religions in the family. My adult children don’t know any different either. I’m curious how people who didn’t grow up that way adjust to their partner’s family. Is there anything that the interfaith family did to help you feel more comfortable?

It really depends on the individuals involved and not the religion that they bring with them. My spouses family had all sorts of ideas about me because I was of a different religion, but it hasn't affected our marriage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My quest is less about making an interfaith relationship work between a couple than how is it as someone from a mono-religious family background marrying into a family where multiple religions are observed.

I’ve always grown up with multiple religions in the family. My adult children don’t know any different either. I’m curious how people who didn’t grow up that way adjust to their partner’s family. Is there anything that the interfaith family did to help you feel more comfortable?

It really depends on the individuals involved and not the religion that they bring with them. My spouses family had all sorts of ideas about me because I was of a different religion, but it hasn't affected our marriage.

Thank you.

We’re just very accustomed to having a lot of religions all in the same family and sometimes forget that we need to give other people a heads up.

[Anonymous]

Every one of us (5 siblings) married someone of a different faith. We are a true melting pot when we get together, and each spouse came from a family of their own religion. It's all fine, we enjoy learning from each other and we enjoy each other's company

[Anonymous]

Among every 10 marriages in my community, at least 2 are interfaith or interracial or both. It was frowned upon until 90's but now most parents have surrendered to idea that this is an unintended consequence of raising kids in a diverse society, they'll fall in love with people around them without following the expected norms. There is nothing parents can do about it. Once they get to know the individuals, most embrace or at least accept them. Some more religious or conservative ones are still willing to disinherit their kids but eventually come around.

[Anonymous]

In last few years, I've attended more interfaith and interracial marriages than in previous five decades of my life as a Muslim American.

[Anonymous]

Younger generations are more open minded and inclusive than older ones. More so if parents or grandparents immigrated and kids are US born and raised.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every one of us (5 siblings) married someone of a different faith. We are a true melting pot when we get together, and each spouse came from a family of their own religion. It's all fine, we enjoy learning from each other and we enjoy each other's company

What religion is your family, and each of your in-laws?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every one of us (5 siblings) married someone of a different faith. We are a true melting pot when we get together, and each spouse came from a family of their own religion. It's all fine, we enjoy learning from each other and we enjoy each other's company

What religion is your family, and each of your in-laws?

Not sure why it matters but my family of origin is Jewish. The marriages vary from Lutheran, Catholic, Unitarian Universalist, non practicing but raised Catholic, and agnostic

[Anonymous]

OP, can you explain how your in-laws would encounter these faiths? Are you thinking about holiday meals?

My immediate family is very active in our church, but we're not bringing extended family with us so it doesn'treally affect them. Other than my MIL saying a grace when we eat at her home, I have no idea if any of my other family members have spiritual practices. It's not my business and doesn't affect our interactions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My quest is less about making an interfaith relationship work between a couple than how is it as someone from a mono-religious family background marrying into a family where multiple religions are observed.

I’ve always grown up with multiple religions in the family. My adult children don’t know any different either. I’m curious how people who didn’t grow up that way adjust to their partner’s family. Is there anything that the interfaith family did to help you feel more comfortable?

It really depends on the individuals involved and not the religion that they bring with them. My spouses family had all sorts of ideas about me because I was of a different religion, but it hasn't affected our marriage.

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