How important is it to you...
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How important is it to you...
| Mon, 06-19-2006 - 1:23pm |
How important is it to you that your spouse / significant other share your beliefs?
Many of us have voiced over the years how we have found paths in different directions than our parents pointed us. Are your children, if you have them, following the path you chose for them?
Looking forward to your comments.
Bink
Not really into Sigees...

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I have always made my own way out of necessity when it comes to my spirituality, and at this point in my life, it doesn't matter if my views are shared by those close to me, but they have to be respected.
How important is it to you that your spouse / significant other share your beliefs?
***It's not. DH & I have been married for 30 years. I have been Wiccan for over half that. When we were married I was not a practicing Christian, but religion was not an issue or worry between us. It's just wasn't important. We consider that a personal and individual part of ourselves. He is Christian and I am Wiccan. There are no conflicts about it. I don't try to convert him and he doesn't try to convert (reconvert? LOL!) me.
Are your children, if you have them, following the path you chose for them?
***Our daughter is also Wiccan. She was exposed and went to Sunday school, etc., in Christianity, but later as we both were called by the Goddess, we studied Wicca, and she also chose to follow the Goddess and God. Again, no conflict with DH. The values are strong in both paths, giving us all a foundation in integrity and right living.
Gypsy
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
For me, it is important that we are on the same thought spiritually.
IMO, it's OK if DH disagrees with me on some issues so long as he doesn't dis my views on those issues.
Luckily, we do tend to think alike on most things important to us.
No kids, so that part doesn't apply...
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DH and I have had and agreement on our belief (or lack thereof in other people's eyes).
I'm no longer w/ my spouse. During our marriage 'tho there were times when our "belief-differences" made for a bit of a clash (he's highly agnostic and my faith, for a while, was fairly strong and traditional. I didn't feel that he needed to believe as I, rather he thought I was stupid for believing . . . .). Anyway, oddly, we can discuss these things now, we see eye to eye far more now than we did, and when we don't he's able to agree to disagree now. *Sigh* . . . anyway . . . .
IF I ever re-marry (and I seriously doubt it) or become involved w/ anyone again, it might be nice to have similar beliefs although I don't feel that it's neccessary as long as we can agree to disagree respectfully (b/c I love hearing what others feel/think/believe).
I did not *choose* a Path for my daughters! Rather, I've encouraged and allowed exploration so that they may find their own. We enjoy studying different belief systems and we all discuss our *finds* and our thoughts/views/beliefs fairly openly with each other (I love it!). And each of us is on a different "Path" (personally I think it's the same Path ~ we just call it different things and express our feelings w/ different terms JMHO).
To me it is more important to share respect/love/tolerance than to share ideals.
Good questions!
Many Blessings, "M"
What a great question, I'm so glad you asked. I've been thinking about this alot. And curious as to what others think.
I used to think beliefs were a personal thing, it shouldn't come between people. In fact, I've stifled my spiritual side while I've been with my current mate. He doesn't like when I talk about God, having a soul, my belief in a heaven and angels -- all the things that I find give my life purpose and direction. What a shame! I was given this wonderful soul to nurture and commune with The Creator and I denied myself all that I'm worth. How stupid of me.
Well, I've come to my senses. I shouldn't deny any part of myself for any reason. I shouldn't think I have to compromise. I'd be directing myself toward the wrong path by doing so.
If it's meant to be, my mate and I should share in spirituality. That's what love is all about.
-gnd-
I grew up in a Catholic home...and attended Catholic school for 12 years....but once I was out of school my faith wasn't all that important to me...
(personally I think it's the same Path ~ we just call it different things and express our feelings w/ different terms JMHO).
Great way of putting it M; I agree.
I was brought up christian, although my parents went to church with my sister and I twice I think. My mom always talks about God and Jesus and the bible, so that's how I grew up. Now I'm still searching kind of...I wouldn't really call myself christian, but I do know that there is a "God" and we are souls and there is another side "heaven" all the good stuff.
My DH doesn't really believe in anything, and his parents never tought him that because they grew up in the catholic church and hated it, so they never wanted to teach their children "christianity", so they didn't teach them anything. DH and I have talked about it alot, he respects my beliefs. But it really bothers me that he really thinks that this is "it". This life here on earth is it for him. That bothers me.
Our son is only 14 months old, so I don't know what we will teach him. I will talk to him about God and all that stuff, whether he chooses to believe or not, it's up to him I guess.
Laura
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