How do you deal with expressing your faith while being a part of a spiritually mixed family?
442169
Remember religion or denominations do not save people ... Jesus is the object of our faith.\n\nJesus gave two simple commands that contain ALL the law of God.  Love Him with all your heart and soul; And, treat others as you would be treated.\n\nTo love as Jesus loves is to put others first.  Not necessarily their wants but their needs.  If you can do that you are the best witness to your whole family no matter what denomination they are.\n\nJesus put us first by sacrificing himself.  There is no greater love than one be willing to lay down their life for another.  It does not necessarily mean death; it means that you put their needs first because you love them.
179675
faith in god, family and friends
263492
As a person married to a spouse of a very different religion, I can say that anyone who offers an "easy answer" has probably not been in that position.  Make no mistake, it can be difficult.  That said, this is decision time for your daughter and prospective son-in-law.  \n\nIf they are ready to be with each other, they are going to have to get used to navigating religious and cultural differences.  And this is an opportunity to decide whether they wish to cleave to each other or to their respective families of origin, to the extent there is some conflict between those two loyalties.  If they cannot prioritize being together over parental approval, the marriage is better off not starting, for its future is not good.  On the other hand, if they establish that their love for each other is something they wish to put at the center of their lives, learning that now can create a valuable opportunity to build a foundation for a future marriage.\n\nI would encourage them to:\n(1)  Engage his family's rabbi (or another rabbi, if his family's rabbi refuses to participate) in the dialogue;\n(2)  Talk about mixed-religion marriages with others in similar marriages, particularly Christian-Jewish pairings;\n(3)  Pray to their shared God/G-d in their two very different ways for guidance and help for their relationship.\n\nBtw, even in Orthodox Judaism conversion for purposes of marriage, and marriage to converts, is acceptable.  Try the Book of Ruth.  Possibly this is actually about cultural, rather than religious differences.\n\nImho, despite the challenges of interfaith marriages, they may play a very important role in moving our world from the present mutual hostility of all the world's faiths towards greater mutual understanding and peace.  And that is certainly a noble pursuit.\n\nMy blessings and my wishes for good luck to them and to both your families, which may yet become one family.
357979
I am on a tug boat at anchor off Rhode Island waiting for a ship to leave that's in my space. My family will celebrate yet another Easter without me. I stay in contact via Yahoo and Cell. My wife finds herself in your situation a lot. I hate it for both of you. It's probably hard to even think of attending church (I haven't in many years) because you feel like an outcast. Life is full of surprises (my Wife accuses me of being an eternal optimist) and though no one can predict what may happen, you might want to give it a try. You just might meet some new friends or at the very least have someone to talk to. Instead of trying to find someone to talk to, introduce yourself to the pastor. He will be sure to welcome you in front of everyone(very embarrassing) which will make everyone want to come and talk to you. This could lead to great things. Good luck!
986951
Sweetheart, the truth is that no matter how you handle the situation, it will be a little hard for your parents to take. Be honest with them in a proper setting. Sit them down privately and explain your truth to them. But make sure that you have all of your facts straight first because they will have many questions that you will have to answer as sensitively as possible. Also, explain clearly why you don't believe in the Christian way of thinking. They will be hurt, but they are still your parents and will love you no matter what (hopefully). Furthermore, only bring up that you are agnostic if and only if you are absolutely sure that is your true way of thinking.
454434
Mom- Youre Going To Find LOTS Of People That Insist On Keeping Their Heads In The Sand, Whether They Believe You Or Not\nSome Dont Want To Believe The Truth, Even When Its Starin Em In The Face\nSome Will HIDE From The Truth, Cause Its Too Painful To Admit That What Youre Showin Em Is Real\n\nTheres ALOT Of Reasons\n\nAll You Can Do Is To KEEP TRYING To Reach The Ones That ARE NOT AWARE Of The Truth, SHOW Them, TELL Them\nAnd Hopefully Youll Open Enough Eyes And THEY Will Inform Others\n\nKeep The Faith Mom, Youre Doin The Right Thing\nYour Kid's Futures Are At Risk
1148981
Instruct your child in the correct path and they will never stray...\n\nI am paraphrasing but the best way for your son to follow you is to be an example for him.  It is going to be hard VERY hard but keep in the path and it will be beneficial.\n\nSee my mom was the type that dragged me out of bed on Sunday and said I had to do this and had to do that.  That didn't work on me.  She then stopped dragging me to church and instead prayed for my salvation.  Then one Sunday I asked if I could go with her to church and during the service went up to the front of the church and accepted Jesus as my Lord and personal savior.  \n\nAs was told to me on that day, that at that moment was the time that God had set up for me to accept his son.  Not one moment sooner.  \n\nUnderstand that prayer and the word keeps not only you but your son aligned with the things of God.  In due time, your faithful seeking of God and asking for him to lead and guide you and your family will prove most beneficial indeed!\n\nI am living proof of what my mom's devotion to God and his son Jesus has done for me.  Now when I go to church I ask my son if he wants to go.  If he says no, it's ok. I kiss him, tell him I love him and off I go because when he goes, he is going because he wants to and his heart, mind and spirit are open and receptive to what God wants him to hear that day.  If going begrudingly, he will slightly resent what is being said.  Over time, that resentment will harden his heart and possibly make him miss out on the best gift ever given to him.  Jesus Christ.\n\nSorry about the long answer.\n\nYOU stay faithful, prayerful and in the word.  God and others will water and cultivate the seeds that will be planted in your son's heart!\n\nGod's blessings to you and yours!
926633
LOL \nI understand the problems that religion can bring to a relationship. I too was brought up Catholic. I married a Protestant the first time and religion helped tear us apart. The second time I fell in love with a man that had Christian values but did not attend church. We have not had any religious problems and our familes did not give us any of the problems that occured in the first marriage.\n\nThink about possible children. What will you both expect the child to be? What will your in-laws expect? Do you love each other enough to handle the problems?\n\nMy favorite song is the "Orange and the Green." My first marriage was definately one of the families fighting about religion.  Good luck to you and your boyfriend. I will keep my fingers crossed that you two will make it work.
962452
I'm a lifelong atheist with two young children, and my wife is an agnostic with spiritual leanings. \n\nI learned from being a teacher that most people are fairly ignorant about their beliefs, and very sensitive. I discuss whatever my older (6) son wants to talk about, and I'm careful not to commit to any point of view. \n\nI do tell him, when we're discussing anything supernatural, that I don't believe in it, but that many people do. So for instance, when we're near a church, he's sometimes interested in what the building is for, and I tell him enough to satisfy his curiosity. \n\nI've actually recently been considering taking my kids to religious services of a fairly wide variety in order to give them the opportunity to compare and contrast for themselves. If they want to believe differently than I do and I repress that, they will simply resent me. \n\nI would draw the line at hate groups.
536733
Just tell them that you know they do not necessarily support what you believe, but you are very happy about what you have been called to do, then tell them what it is you have been called to do, and tell them, I know you may not agree with it, but I would really like your support, your love, or your encouragement. My dad is a non-believer, and I told him this when I told him about a certain decision and he handled it very well and told me that even though he doesn't agree with what I believe, he will support me and love me.
742997
I love how everyone has a prick up their @sses right here. Clearly you love him enough to be seriously contemplating a seerious relationship. In that case, compromise is the word here. You have no faith, but clearly his faith is important to him as well. \n\nIf there are children, it wouldn't hurt for them to learn about their father's religion. I have known many many people that have come out of mixed faith relationships. Some are devotely religious, some are supposedly "muslim" and just don't care, and ssome don't believe in Islam at all. Anything is open, and you have to keep in mind that in the end, this will be your children's choice. They will be exposed to two different ways of living, a whole other world that you have never known. Of course there are going to be problems, many of them, but you need to keep lines of communication open and be willing to budge.\n\nMaybe try telling him to avoid the topic of religion to his children until a certain age, but they can learn arabic if he is willing to teach them? In exchange, they won't be exposed to Islam until they are old enough to understand, or at least ask "why does Daddy not eat for a month right now?" Or something like that.\n\nAnd there are things that are truly just about comfot levels. Will it kill your children if they didn't eat pepporoni pizza or any other pork products? In return, it won't kill them to not go with their father to the mosque, or avoid any religious ceremonies or events. That's a "sacrifice" that both of you are going to have to deal with.\n\nWhatever you choose, keep this in mind: You are influencing what your children will be exposed to for the rest of their lives. It would almost be cruel to hide them from a way of life that is so important to their father, and yet at the same time it would be ridiculous to assume that they hvae to adopt a whole other mode of living, especially in a foreign country. It is not easy. But in the end, your children will end up deciding what they will and will not believe when they're ready. In the meantime, if you truly love each other, then your children's faith will be somethign that you both work on together.\n\n[Edit] To all you spouting out of your @sses that Muslim men do this, you'll be beheaded for that, you have to wear this and that, do your research for God's sake!!!! Islam is as diverse as CHristianity in terms of how devote its followers are. How many of you Christians follow every word of hte Bible literally? I can answer that: None. Not all of us women wear the scarf, even fewer of us wear the veil, and contrary to popular belief, the veil was a functional, practical garment that came about not from Islam, but from leading the life of a farmer hundreds of years ago in the sandy, blinding hot sun of Saudia Arabia, not for the cold climate of Britain. If any of you have gone to the desert, you'll know that covering up is actually cooooler than getting the full rays of the sun straight on your skin. Not all of us go around in bikinis begging for sun cancer.\n\nOther than that, no you have the full freedom of choice to stay un-religious. And to all of you idiots mentioned above, if she's fallen in love with him and known him for almost a year now, then she knows what he is all about. Clearly she knows how to lead her life better than you guys. And clearly, she is much more open minded and willing to experience other people's cultures than all of you.
439602
If you are having family problems, searching for God is a good thing to do.  However, most religious people would say that the best way to address family problems would be to see a psychologist or social worker.  Family therapy would be an excellent option.  In familly therapy, they work on the problems of the whole family, not just one or two people.  To find a family therapist, ask your family physician, minister/rabbi, or school counselor.\n\nBest wishes to you!
720030
Is religion the reason that your parents don't accept your relationship? If so I would sit down with each set of parents separately and come to some sort of agreement. Many family are multi-denominational, get involved in both churches. If you need to divide your weekends every month in order to fully appreciate both families beliefs and ideas then I think that would be a very worthwhile thing. \nTo be sure that the barrier between the two of you is religion I would start with speaking to my mother about it. Take a moment when it's just the two of you and have a heart to heart. \nTake things slow, decide what is most important to the two of you and go from there. No one can decide another person's destiny.\nGood luck!
340669
If those are you beliefs then you do not have to feel as if they are wrong because someone of different beliefs tells you that you dont need to prove your faith by doing xyz. Faith can take on many different forms and if you feel you must express your faith a certain way then that is what is best for you. However, if you dont want people to judge your way of faith and tell you that you are wrong, remember that when you look upon other people practicing their faith in a way that is different than yourself. \n\nWe can all show our faith in God through a mulititude of ways, just express it in the way that comes most naturaly to you as long as you arent keeping others from doing the same.
34350
Allow them to finish their prayer, bow your head and give thanks in whatever way you see fit to whom ever you see fit.  \n\nRespect their freedom of religion and they'll respect yours.  \n\nGive God a try!  Jesus loves you and so do I!\n\nDo I sound like a Bible beater??? ;-)
225109
You can't.  God tells us "You can't guide whom you please, but God guides whomever he wills with no accountability".  Fact is, we have no power to convert.  We only have the ability to convey.  It is up to the individual to accept or reject.\n\nOne thing you can do is be an example.  Show him how fulfilling your life is with God at the center of it.  Also, pray for him.  Just keep in mind that the death of close family is a test for a person.  Maybe his test involves casting doubt on his belief so that when the light shines through again, he will have stronger faith.\n\nAnd God only knows best.
456747
Practicing the privilege of prayer yields abundant blessings.  Not only are we allowed to speak directly to the Creator of the universe through prayer, and often experience the excitement of seeing our prayers answered directly, but family devotions also prepare our children to raise praying families of their own.\n\nWhatever state you find your family in today, go pray about it together.\n\n"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." - Romans 12:12