What religion in an interracial marriage?

[cbachinger]

I firmly believe that I will marry a chinese woman; reasons are that I show and have more love towards them for a while and my feelings are very strong and because I really want to work in china for a while; i will start in china in 1 month).

I am Catholic but not a church goer though i hope to change this in later life and i was baptized when i was a few weeks old.

I have lightly studies the so called religions (actually beliefs) in china and battled somewhat to find an equal balance in beliefs. The many legends in china are similar to western ones, with just a twist in story content. There is a similar path in buddism where the ten commandments are mentioned in the 'eightfold path'.

I guess this also depends on how strong the woman is in her family's religion.

"Taoism seeks to promote the inner peace of individuals and harmony with their surroundings."

"Confucianism...is an ethical belief system rather than a religion, and is based upon the concept of relationships.

"Buddhism was established by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha or 'enlightened one'. Siddhartha Gautama was a prince of the Sakya kingdom on the borders of what are now India and Nepal. The Buddha taught that desires are the source of pain, and that by overcoming our desires we can overcome pain. To achieve this he advocated meditation and pursuing the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is a set of rules similar to the Ten Commandments of Judaism and Christianity. The objective was to reach Nirvana - the condition of spiritual peace, where all cravings, strife, and pain have been overcome and the spirit merges with eternal harmony."

Any advice please!

This at the moment is my major future situation but im sure there will be many more to come

many thnx

[Kaytee]

Well first I think you may be a little closed minded if you ONLY intend to mary a Chineese woman just because.
As far as religion, there is nothing wrong with BOTH having their own beliefs and following them. As long as both are respectful to the other.

I for one would never marry a non Christian. Because I feel so strongly in my beliefs, that goes to say though that my husband is not "as Christian" as I am. lol He goes to church more because I say we go to church then him really wanting too. But that is a whole other debate lol

[cbachinger]

I have indeed asked myself, 'Am i thinking closed minded?'
There is just something about chinese women that stuns me as a whole and i admit that they are a beautiful race but also when i had my first relationship with a chinese woman, she captivated me in a way that your first born captivates you.
Also, i grew very interested in chinese cuture as time went on in my hotel school in which the majority was actually chinese and i have wished to work there (in hotels) for the past 2 years. I am actually soon to work in south china by 3rd december.

My dad did warn me about being closed minded at the beginning but he seems to understand and accept that i know where i am going and i have a clear mind as to what i want.

[Tau]

Im not sure what the question is.

[FooserX]

>>>>As far as religion, there is nothing wrong with BOTH having their own beliefs and following them. As long as both are respectful to the other.

I absolutely disagree with the above statement.

If you REALLY believe that your faith is the right one (which you would have to if you're serious about it)...then how in the world can you live with someone who believes different things than you? We're not talking about political stands here....we're talking about ways to live one's life.

You would believe that one person goes to heaven...while maybe the other gets reincarnated. lol It doesn't even make sense. Unless both people aren't really serious about their faith...they just go because they feel an obligation. You know those types...the people who go, but don't REALLY follow the word of God if it becomes an inconvienience. Hey, I'm christian...no wait...I met a boy/girl and want to marry them....so maybe my religion can take a backseat to my own personal love life.

And on top of that, how can you raise a kid with split beliefs? You may as well raise him with none because there will not be a family commitment to follow the same faith. It's one parent taking the kid to church while the other stays home to watch Sunday football. At some point, the kid is going to see that it's not important to go to church.

I can sorta see different denominations of Christianity marrying each other. But different religions all together...buddhism...or Hinduism...etc...no way. If you're even semi serious about the bible, it reiterates all the time that there's only one way to get to heaven....and one god. You can't just pick and choose what parts of the bible you want to follow.

[Kaytee]

I understand what you are saying Fooser, but I do know a couple who are married and have 3 children right now. She is a Catholic and he is a Jew. They go to both Temple on Saturdays and Church on Sundays. They are taught both sets of beliefs and traditions. As they get older they can choose to follow whatever they feel is right for them.
As I said I perdaonlly could not marry outside of Chritianity but I do know some that do and have happy marriages.

Life is no different for them, those are moral beliefs, both sets are pretty identical. It wouldbe hard, I would gather but... it can be done. But to force someone to give up their beliefs to be your own is just craziness

[Tau]

Fooser,

There are some religions out there that are not exclusive ideologies.

[FooserX]

>>>But to force someone to give up their beliefs to be your own is just craziness


Who said anything about forcing people to give up their faith?

I just said people should find partners who have the same religious beliefs as them, as it will make things less complicated.

[Kaytee]

I was not referring to anything that you said, I was referring to the OP

[hoplessromantic1986]

A couple with different religions can make things work. It won’t be easy, and both need to be willing to compromise. There will always be issues in relationships/marriage that parents will have different views on and those things just like religion can be worked out. Both parents need to be respectful and take into consideration the others religion. I myself am an atheist, my significant other is catholic. I totally respect his beliefs. But I do not want my children raised thinking one religion is better then the other. I respect my man enough to go with him to mass if he so asks of me. I will not sit there and praise god and say he is my savior but I will go for support and out of respect for him. If he asks that the kids be brought to mass, okay they can come and they will learn about it but they will also learn all the other possibilities out there. Now I would prefer that my children not be baptized, to me that would be showing favoritism.

I am all about letting my children make their own decision on their religious beliefs. I will educate them to the best of my knowledge about all of them. But it is their decision in the end. Either way I will stand by them whatever they choose.

Fooser, raising split belief can be done, just as long as favoritism is not given to one or the other if it is then I believe superiority of religions becomes an issue.

LOL this could also be posted in children/religion….ehh either way it fits in both!