Challenges of Interfaith Marriages

Interfaith marriages are becoming increasingly common in today´s world, especially in the United States. Studies show that fifty percent of these marriages take place between Jewish men and women. Several articles pertaining to the Catholic Church point out that many young people now leave to intermarry. These facts indicate the high degree of tolerance for interfaith marriages practiced in the United States. Some may argue that these facts and figures obtained through research show that faith are religion are not playing as important a role as they should in the lives of young Americans today. Surveys conducted prove that many of them don´t identify themselves as being of any religion at all.

Interfaith marriages usually occur between a Jewish and a Christian, but this is not always the case.  There are more and more numbers of Catholics and Protestants getting married. Catholics and Protestants share a somewhat mutual view of theology and culture, which makes this sort of interfaith marriage a little less difficult. Even so, many Christian sects frown upon interfaith marriages, deeming them to have many problems and crises that will affect not just the future of the marriage, but the families of the husband and wife, as well as any children they might have in the future.

The first setback of interfaith marriage comes along when the parents of the couple do not approve of their children marrying someone of a different faith. This sets the stage for conflict, as most of the time, family is an important aspect of a person´s life. Parents can feel bitter and misunderstood and horribly wronged by the choices their child is making, and this can put a strain on the relationship between the parents and the couple, as well as between the couple themselves. It can also cause an enormous amount of guilt to fall on the young bride and groom, for creating such a difficult situation.

For a long time there was very little help offered when two people of different faiths wanted to marry. It was generally frowned upon because people felt the couple was dishonoring their heritage and religion. Churches and synagogues reinforced this adverse view of interfaith marriages because they were afraid of losing people from their religious institutions to other religions.

Modern day views are a bit less strict, which comes as a great relief to those who want to marry someone of a different faith. There are many institutions that believe that love transcends religion and faith, and that whichever God you believe in, He would be happy to see the union of two people in love, rather than concentrate on the fact that they come from two different faiths. Interfaith marriage ceremonies have aspects that are somewhat neutral to all faiths, such as signing the ketubah, a document telling the groom of his responsibilities towards his wife, and telling the wife her rights as a woman in the marriage. Priests, rabbis and ministers are available who are not only open to, but wholly welcome, interfaith marriages, which can help a long way in getting any reluctant family members to jump on board as well.