Written by: Golda Ruckle
When we are planning out our lives, we usually picture falling in love in a cozy situation with someone much like ourselves, especially in faith. While relationships are certainly easier when people have their religion in common, people falling in love usually don’t think very much.
So, what happens when someone realizes that life would somehow be emptier without their best friend as their partner, but they don’t share something as foundational as faith?
While interfaith relationships certainly aren’t for everyone, it is possible to join lives with someone who has separate beliefs. Even though many Christians adhere to the advice in 2 Corinthians 6:14, which commands that followers of Christ stay within the borders of their own kind, believers of all creeds have more in common with each other than some would think.
If we allow God to be bigger than our churches, we believe that He is accepting and welcoming to people of every nation and religion. All of this is to say that if a person respects their partner and sees the beauty in any life of faith, they might find that a love of peace, justice, compassion, benevolence and God is far more important than doctrine in many cases.
I can’t say that having an interfaith relationship would be easy, especially with family and life in the way. So what could make an interfaith relationship work?
The answer is many of the same things that keep any relationship between two imperfect people healthy. Respecting boundaries and each other’s beliefs are essential. And, obviously, communication is key, especially when it comes to families, holidays and kids.
Personally, I think it would help strengthen a person’s relationship if they entered life with their partner with curiosity and an open mind. Maybe they can see parts of the Divine that they had not been exposed to, which might challenge and strengthen their faith in a deeper way than they would have known without them.
For lack of better words, if someone finds a person that makes their life more beautiful that they want to build a future with, I don’t think they should let religious differences be the deciding factor. It is possible to build a life out of two different root systems, and it could be stronger and all the better with a little diversity.