I (26 Hindu F) was dating a Muslim (27 M) guy who I just know is the greatest love of my life but of course due to family and religion, we finally decided to part ways.

Part of me is so heartbroken and devastated because he is my person through and through.

Part of me knows I’d never want to get between a son and his parents. He owes them a responsibility too.

I think I’m also just so angry at religion and starting to move away from it due to the expectations and beliefs as well. I’m starting to feel like I don’t resonate as much because of the negative connotations.

I just don’t know if I made the right choice or fought harder?

Would appreciate no hurtful comments, I knew what I was doing and the potential outcomes. I would never trade it for the world.

Thank you in advance!

Hello everyone! A group of researchers are conducting a survey on interfaith families who have experienced a family member's death - please read below and click the link to participate:

Interfaith families often have unique experiences compared to families in which the same religious and faith traditions are held by family members. By interfaith, we are referring to families in which there are different faith traditions (e.g., Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist) or a family relationship in which there are those who are religious and those who are atheist. The benefits and, at times, challenges of managing interfaith families can be especially evident during important life events such as marriage, new parenthood, and, unfortunately, during times of loss.

As scholars who grew up in interfaith families and/or focus a great deal on assisting individuals and families with grief and coping following the loss of a loved one, we want to learn more about experiences of individuals in interfaith families as they cope with the death of a close family member. We are hoping that you would complete a very brief survey that we estimate takes only 15-30 minutes to finish. Our goal is to use the information you share to provide advice and guidance for interfaith families to help with coping following the death of a family member.

To qualify for this study, you must meet the following requirements:

(1) Have lost a close family member in the last (5) years

(2) Are in a family in which there are distinct religious differences between either (a) you and your parent(s), (b) you and your partner, (c) you and a sibling, or (d) you and an adult child(ren).

(3) You have regular contact with those in your family in which there are religious differences.

(4) Be an adult based on the age requirements of your state of residence

If you are interested in completing the survey, please click the following link to learn more about the study, confidentiality of your responses, and how to participate if you wish: https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3xVgTXILQx9QBPo

1. Hinduism - forbidden to eat beef.
2. Judaism – forbidden to eat meat and cheese together.
3. Catholicism – forbidden to eat meat on Fridays during lent.
4. Islam – forbidden to eat from sun up to sun down during the month of Ramadan.
5. Baha’i – forbidden to eat from sun up to sun down for the 19 days before the vernal equinox.
6. Hare Krishna – forbidden to eat onions.
7. Pythagoreanism – forbidden to eat beans.
8. Discordianism – forbidden to not eat hotdog buns.
9. Pastafarianism – forbidden to eat spaghetti.

My (f28) partner (m28) and I have been dating for almost 8 years and we have decided we want to get married. My family is muslim and his is christian, but neither me nor my partner are religious at all. Even though we're not religious, we want to make our families happy and proud. So how do we go about having a wedding that pleases both our families?

Hello,

I'm an atheist and married to a christian. For the past almost 2 years they haven't gone to church even after I have asked them multiple times if they want to go - and made it abundantly clear I will go with them.

I just asked them if they're not going because they think I don't want to go, and they nodded, then tried to backtrack.

I feel guilty, but I also don't want to waste my time at churche. I will definitely go because I want to make them happy though.

Any advice on how to approach this conversation?

interfaith couple- boyfriend of almost 4 years-have to breakup

I’m in a relationship since the past 4 years. My bf (28M) is hindu and I’m Muslim (28F). We are both from Pakistan where it’s against the law for a muslim girl to marry a non-muslim guy. For context, if caught, he can get hanged and I’ll be in jail.

I moved to the US 1.5 years back and we have been in a LDR since then. We did break up briefly for about 2-3 weeks but my dad had an accident because of which I went to Pakistan. My dad passed away 3 days after. My bf was with me through out so we reconciled. My family met his during that time and they absolutely adore him. I know they wouldn’t have a problem if I marry him. They’ve actually asked me to marry.

BUT the issue is we can’t get married in Pakistan. He comes from an extremely wealthy family, they have multiple businesses in Pakistan and he doesn’t think he can leave all that and move to the US. His family has met me but they are against interfaith marriages. They’ve explicitly told him that they would never agree to our marriage. I have told him that I can wait and I can move to some other country closer to Pakistan so it’s easier for him to travel back and forth. But he doesn’t have faith in himself. He thinks he wouldn’t be able to start from scratch. He can’t do 9-5 as he’s always had a luxurious lifestyle and is not used to the hustle culture of the US.

He has spoken to his parents but to no avail. I don’t know why I’m posting here. He told me yesterday that he can’t commit. I know I have to end it. I know the sooner I do it the better it would be. But I can’t find the strength to. I lost my dad last summer and I don’t think I can take any more heartbreak. He was my only emotional support during this time. I have given him so many options. Moving to Canada as his brother is there and they are already thinking of expanding their business to north america but he still tells me he can’t.

For context, when we started dating he did tell me there will be no future. But so so much changed. We went from casual dating to being in a serious relationship.

Hi, I would like some advice from others that are in the same situation just to get clarity and what I should be looking out for in my interfaith relationship. So we are both not fully strict in our religions yet the topic comes out in regarding our future marriage, our parents and how we wish to raise our kids. We respect each other's beliefs, culture while learning each other's cuisine, language and now reading the Quran, Bible and going to do so together to help us move forward. My only concern is his parents not accepting me if I don't convert, yet in the Quran, a Muslim man can marry a Christian and Jewish woman. (A woman of the book) and idk how Id feel to convert either. feel free to send a message TY!

Hi, I'm 24(f) Christian from Kerala and I'm dating a 26(m) telugu Hindu guy from Hyderabad but we were both bought up in the uk. We’ve been together for a couple of years now and I recently told them about my bf and as expected they had huge emotional reactions. Me and my bf are pretty okay with raising our kids predominantly Christian whilst attending to like the main Hindu festivals for his family. But my parents are pretty adamant this is wrong and I'm basically abandoning my faith if I go with a Hindu guy. Just wanted to post to see if anyone else has been through the emotional damage that is mally parents guilt tripping and emotionally blackmailing you, and if you have any tips for dealing with it, as well as a rough timescale of how long it took before they got over it and agreed to the wedding. We've agreed to have 2 weddings etc. my parents have been pretty bad like my mum crying, shouting, being angry, and my older brother isn't really helping either. He's just making it worse by saying he won't come to the wedding and that he will never support etc. Any advice/ tips will be much appreciated! Can provide more info if needed!

And if not does anyone want to learn one of the most important theological claim in Judaism

I am a hindu woman marrying a Muslim man. We have known each other our whole lives and both families approve. I have been given free reign to plan our wedding, and I want it to include both faiths. What ceremonies do both religions have in common? Even if it goes by different names. Also any suggestions on what could be combined?

So I’ve been friends with this man for years and over the years I’ve grown to really fall for him. He’s been Muslim for a few years and I do not follow any faith though I’m open to learning about them. Different religions and cultures interest me but I don’t think I’d ever be converted to one. I’ve read that typically people who follow Islam must marry or be with someone of the same faith with the exception of some others. I want to respect him and make him happy. Would it be selfish to pursue him or should I keep my feelings to myself so he can find someone of his own faith?

Hi all, please read below for a research study call for interfaith families grieving the death of a loved one:

Interfaith families often have unique experiences compared to families in which the same religious and faith traditions are held by family members. By interfaith, we are referring to families in which there are different faith traditions (e.g., Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist) or a family relationship in which there are those who are religious and those who are atheist. The benefits and, at times, challenges of managing interfaith families can be especially evident during important life events such as marriage, new parenthood, and, unfortunately, during times of loss.

As scholars who grew up in interfaith families and/or focus a great deal on assisting individuals and families with grief and coping following the loss of a loved one, we want to learn more about experiences of individuals in interfaith families as they cope with the death of a close family member. We are hoping that you would complete a very brief survey that we estimate takes only 15-30 minutes to finish. Our goal is to use the information you share to provide advice and guidance for interfaith families to help with coping following the death of a family member.

To qualify for this study, you must meet the following requirements:

(1) Have lost a close family member in the last (5) years

(2) Are in a family in which there are distinct religious differences between either (a) you and your parent(s), (b) you and your partner, (c) you and a sibling, or (d) you and an adult child(ren).

(3) You have regular contact with those in your family in which there are religious differences.

(4) Be an adult based on the age requirements of your state of residence

If you are interested in completing the survey, please click the following link to learn more about the study, confidentiality of your responses, and how to participate if you wish: https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3xVgTXILQx9QBPo

Hey! I'm a theologically conservative Protestant Christian looking to have a conversation about how people of other or no faith see the world!

If you are someone who has always wanted to talk to a Christian about what they believe, have questions about the Bible, or just want to talk about religion and faith in general, I would love to talk with you!

My fiance and I are expecting our first baby. She's Catholic though not really practicing and I'm Jewish of lower levels of practicing. However, I find in the holiday season that I want to celebrate both holidays. I also see and feel that with a Christmas tree in the house covered in ornaments, stockings hung on the mantle, and some other Christmas stuff throughout the house, I feel like there's a lack of Hanukkah in the house. Obviously I understand a menorah goes a long way but it feels muted when compared to the large amount of Christmas stuff that's available. I know that my fiance respect my religion and we have both committed to raising our daughter in both religions and allowing her to make a choice when she is of the appropriate age. But, can anyone suggest some good options for how to make the house a bit more Hanukkah?

Hello everyone. I’m looking for some advice, success stories, words of encouragement etc. I recently started “dating” (I know dating doesn’t exist in Islam) but it does in my culture and I would consider this situation dating.. an amazing Muslim man who I have developed strong feelings for. We have been talking and getting to know eachother for 3 months and I’ve already told him I love him. I feel a lot of anxiety about how our future will pan out due to our different backgrounds. We get along great, have the same values and morals, agree on everything, etc. To give some background, I was brought up Christian and born in America as a white woman. I don’t go to church but celebrate Christmas and pray to God. He was raised Muslim in Syria and immigrated to America as a young boy. From what I have heard from him his family will accept me but his mom wears a hijab and he has talked about his sisters arranged marriage. I am very open to Islam, I actually resonate with a lot of the teachings of Islam more so than Christianity. I told him I am 100% in agreement to raise my kids as Muslim as I agree and respect all of the teachings. I would celebrate all of the Islam holidays, however I would not be ready to convert (which he would never ask me to do that) unless I felt it in my heart. He is less conservative (he drinks alcohol and doesn’t pray consistently) but naturally I still worry about his family’s approval and thoughts about me when it comes time for me to meet them. From what he has told me, it sounds like they are amazing people but i know they are more conservative then him. I don’t want to be in a position where I continue to develop feelings and then his family doesn’t approve and both of our hearts end up broken. TIA for your words. ❤️

My boyfriend is catholic and I am jewish. I love him so much but we are struggling to find common ground on how we would raise our kids. I feel like its either both or nothing. Both religions have a lot of common ground until we get to talking about Jesus. Jews believe he was just a jewish man and Christian's believe he was the messiah. I am STRUGGLING to see how I would explain it to my children... like "mommy believes he isnt, daddy believes he is" and I dont want my children to be torn nor confused. And sending them to both catholic and Hebrew may confuse them even more... we want to make it work but are debating if our differences are too much... how would you do it if you were in our shoes? ANY advice is helpful because I have been a wreck over this. Im a conservative Jew if that helps.

I’ve always wanted to raise my children Jewish. I made that clear day one and he was okay with it… then over time, Catholicism meant a bit more to him and he doesn’t want to let that go, he wants to raise our hypothetical children both. The problem is… how the hell do we do that?!

#catholic #jewish #interfaith #judaism #christain #children #raisingchildren #hope #love #relationships #help #jesus #hebrew

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