How Important Is Religion in a Relationship?
There is a universal attraction within the human race to build relationships. The human heart is drawn to fall in love--a quality placed within our soul by God. But how easy is it to choose who we love? Do we base who we fall in love with on all the details or do we just fall? What if their religious beliefs are completely different than ours?
I am a Christian. I can’t say that I’ve ever dated a gal of a different religion. At least not one that would make for heated debates or significant disconnects such as a Muslim or Jehovah Witness or something like that. I believe that we all understand how sensitive the topic of religion really is. We’ve also heard about it being the determining factor for failure or success in a relationship.
Religion is more than a way of life. It spills over into politics, sex, and faith. Religion comes with its own set of rules, opinions, ideals, and traditions. I’m pretty certain that love cannot conquer all in cases like these. It would require an immeasurable amount of tolerance and compromise. Someone in the relationship will have to give in most of the time. Someone will probably have to agree to raise the children within the others religion instead of their own. Perhaps even convert over to the other person’s religion. This is further complicated when you bring the in laws and each others extended families and friends into the equation.
Yes, dealing with in laws is hardly ever a picnic, so imagine when initially they will not approve because of the difference in religion. The influence of one’s parents will have positive or negative effects on the relationship that can strain things and create tension. Only two really committed people that are absolutely willing to exercise compromise can weather this type of storm.
Can a Christian and a Muslim be engaged in a relationship that works? How about a Muslim with someone that is Jewish? Or either of the two with a Christian or someone that is Hindu? Seems pretty impossible to me… You may have to get used to certain customs, such as removing shoes, special diets and celebrating religious holidays.
A relationship already comes with many obstacles to overcome without differences of religion.The divorce rate in our country is over 50% and that doesn’t even account for the amount of them that may be for religious differences. Getting two people to really understand and trust each other is what each of us hopes for in our lives. This is easy to write about but we all know just how difficult it is. Think about how many relationships you have been in that you wanted to work but didn’t. Now, imagine if the religion component would have been there as well… It would probably have lasted a lot less than it did.
The only foreseeable roadmap to a happy long-lasting relationship, regardless of religious beliefs, is effort that is based on real unselfish love and compromise. Time and again most of us show just how difficult that really is through our many break ups and lack of patience. I cannot envision myself trying to engage in a relationship with someone of another religion.
My verdict is in and I say that Religion is a Deal Breaker in any relationship. A relationship is difficult enough without the extra strain.
A difference in religion can make for more War than Love. What do you think?
Thanks for reading,
WB
AFTER THOUGHT BY:
My Dear and beloved Whilly, I would like to say that I have to agree with some points mentioned here and also disagree. I will start by saying that I was also raised as Christian and it was very clearly instilled in me that God “is” love. Love? There is the key word. Love means different things to different people. This all depends on how we are individually structured.
In my opinion love is the base of every relationship. Love starts from loving ourselves and all living things on this earth. This beautiful, majestic place created by God. We are all students here to learn from each other. Now that we love ourselves and every living thing on earth, we are ready to love one another and treat one another the way we like to be treated.
As far as forming a spousal relationship, I believe both individuals have to be in the same dimension and evaluational mind frame to be able to understand the possibilities. Raising children to know and understand different religions and cultures will only open their minds to understand that although we may not look or believe the same, we are all human beings and here for the same ultimate purpose. One individual does not have to think like the other for it to be LOVE.
My Verdict is that if the base of the relationship is in fact true love and both individuals are at the same mental level, then with GOD and LOVE all things are possible :)
Miss La Rosa
