Do We Have a Chance?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2003
Do We Have a Chance?
3
Tue, 09-07-2004 - 9:03am
I have been dating my boyfriend for almost 4 years. We recently moved in together. We have told each other that we both want to marry one another but our different religions is stopping us. I am Jewish and he is Catholic. Neither of us are very religious but growing up we were more involved in our faiths. We have come to the point were we both feel it's "unfair" to ask the other to give up their faith and we both fear the high divorce rates of interfaith couples. I can't understand how our only choice is to breakup. I am very lost with this issue and could really use some advice on how to save this relationship.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2004
Tue, 09-07-2004 - 9:37am
Hi if you both really love each other my advice is go for it,just make sure you both talk about what you both want.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
Tue, 09-07-2004 - 12:19pm
Here's the problem - usually when two young people are single and in love they have the naive and innocent viewpoint that "love conquers all." But what almost always happens is that as the years roll by and the children come along, suddenly the faith of their childhoods beomes VERY important. A tug-of-war often ensues over which faith the children will be raised in, and that war can result in a marital split. I'm not saying that this will definitely happen with you, but the odds are greater that this difference in background will bring down the marriage.

Do not marry until both of you are spiritually mature and know what your belief systems are. Otherwise, your children may pay the price.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2003
Tue, 09-07-2004 - 4:40pm
You have a chance. My bf is Jewish, I'm not. We aren't married, but his sister is married to a non-Jewish man. Neither of them gave up their religion and they have raised their children to include both faiths. Take time to discuss raising children.


Carrie