Does religion really make a difference when it comes to loving your children and spouse, or raising good kids?
606636
Religion is ultimately irrelevant when it comes to love.  The instinctive love of a spouse or children trumps the man made concepts of religion most days.
477442
No. It's just the more religious a person is the she/he hides from his/her self. People don't like to admit to themselves that they're petty, mean-spirited, backstabbing jerks. Therefore, they throw themselves into religion, using their relationship with "God" as a substitute for basic human goodness.\nThere are a few who transcend that and are truly good and spiritual, but the vast majority of Bible-thumpers aren't either.
1110029
im christian and married a muslim man,, his family made me confirt so i moved in with them and tried living there way,, i couldnt i made it a year (crying every night) then we finally moved out on our own and everything has been fine since.. just when we go to his family's house which is almost everyweekend i have to dress for them and act for them but then we come back home and im me again..... if you want to confirt then hey if you can do it great they are wonderful people with a great religion it was just to hard for me, now i do beleive alot of what they say and i have became a better person by knowing them.. \n\nif you really love each other things work them selfs out always,, we have been married for 7 yrs and have 3 children and ya the religion has its hard times but we always get threw it and we always will and i love his family there strange at times but they are the best people i have ever known\n\nok i had to add after reading some other answers ,, as far as the children my children are growing up great learning both religions and able to choose what they believe and as far as that movie that is bull shit its not like that now maybe many years ago but not now.. people have the wrong views on anyone who is different and i think that is so wrong ,
735508
Yes-absolutely. Your spouse may become a Christian while attempting to raise his children correctly.\nUnless this unsaved spouse has shown you that to stay with him your life will be miserable. But you do not mention any problems, only that one is saved and one is not.
154469
Absolutely! Look at the kids who grow up in daycares or with babysitters who are all stressed out from watching so many different kids through out the day, that they can't give the proper affection and attention that the child needs. Then look at the ones who are raised 100% by one of the parents (usually the mom) and get the proper affection, attention and discipline. (Positive discipline) The child learns proper manners, ways to handle lifes situations, how to talk to and address people, whats important in life etc.\nAll this of course being based on the parents being loving and properly raising their children.\n\nSo yes without a doubt, children are much better off having a stay at home parent. I believe it is far more important to have less material things and produce a child who will be a great person and example of how we are to be.
191387
I would have to say that in a sense, it is stripping a child of a great deal of their freedom to choose their religious beliefs later in life.\n\nMany people do not realize that it is indoctrination.  If you raise a child to think that something is right, and all other things are wrong, than that child is going to most likely continue to think that all of their life.\n\nA perfect example is abuse or bigotry.  Studies have shown that a child raised in an abusive home is much more likely to grow up and think that abuse is normal and ok, and therefore, to abuse their spouse and/or children.\n\nSomeone who grows up in a home where bigotry is prominent is likely to grow up thinking that bigotry is normal and ok, and thus perpetuate the cycle.\n\nThe same thing with religion.  Many people grow up being taught a certain religion all of their childhood years, and continue to believe that religion is good and right.\n\nAs for moral and ethical teachings, you don't need religion to teach a child about morals and ethics.  I don't need any holy doctrine to teach me that it is wrong to use violence when it is not neccessary, or to teach me that it is not right to steal.\n\nIf people are wanting to find a middle ground, a compromise, than raise your child(ren) in your religion, but do not be close-minded.  Tell them that it is ok to look into other religions, and try to find people who follow other religons so that when your children have questions, there is someone there to answer the questions that has the appropriate knowledge, and not some preconceived, uneducated opinion.  And please, do not take the route that my family took, i.e. "I dont care what religion you follow as long as it recognizes that there is only one God and that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior."\n\nPersonally, I feel that it is best to raise children in such a way as to leave religion out of their upbringing as much as possible, so that when the child is old enough, they can come to the parent with questions.
184606
It can as long as you are both willing to accept and respect eachothers religious beliefs and traditions. It could get tricky once children come into the picture though.
1178756
No, because the people who cling to a religion are people who need discipline and restraint in their lives. Underneath all that "Jesus loves me!" euphoria they hang on to deep fears of divine wrath. Without their religion to hold them back, I honestly believe some of them would have no qualms about murder, rape, stealing, etc.
817698
Although religion is good in many ways, it has also created a lot of wars. Music can cross boarders that religion can't.
407978
I have five children and do not care if they are gay or straight, but will love them no matter what.  This means that I value my children higher than or at least equally as much as myself.\n\n"This kind of love is rare, because not many would find something so desirable that the object itself is more valuable than their desire for it."\n\n***robert_delahunt needs to find God!***
460791
It can, eventually you are going to have to decide what is cool for you and not your family. The Truth is that no matter who you are with, you always have to deal with yourself. Certain beliefs you will come in to contact with will simply not make sense to you, or they will.\n\nI am pretty inquisitive myself, I once asked a priest a question. I had asked him that if the Bible was a true story, how come it NEVER mentions dinosaurs or anything and just starts with Adam and Eve. How is it we have proof that Dinosaurs lived millions and millions of years before we have any proof of Man at all...? And how can you put so much faith in a book that could be someones TWISTED view of how it went down, simply to control masses of people or maybe just because MAN himself is merely Flawed and HUMAN and makes mistakes...as we ALL DO?\n\nThe fact is that, you have to FEEL as you Do...For whatever REASON, you have to go through what ever your life brings you and LEARN FROM IT ALL and DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS. Be comfortable with YOU. Find a Religion or Faith that makes you feel good, inside and out. If its the one parents like good for you all. If it is NOT then good for you all. Do what fulfills you. Not what fulfills others, that is thier responisbility.
293525
There is always going to be a difference of opinion and different ways to handle any situation. It all comes with the territory whether you're religious or not. Therefore it would not have any bearing on my decision as long as they don't preach and push me into their beliefs. The only aspect that matters to me, would be my future children. They will be raised of neither faith, but left to choose their own. Only educated as much as possible.
1107017
I am a Christian which is not a religion it is a relationship.  I checked out most of the other religions which are man's attempt to reach God.  I believe in Christianity because of the testimony of the Bible saints as well as those whose lives I have seen converted. I know that it is the only belief system that can make a difference in someones life not by doing or being good but by allowing the Living Creator of Heaven and Earth to indwell in you and His helping you to change your life around.
389862
Yes.  Love is supposed to be blind.  It makes no difference as long as the two of you love each other.  \n\nAs for will they work, they will as long as each of you respects the others religious beliefs and that you agree in advance on issues relating to children.  Specifically, how they will be raised from a religion standpoint.
140522
orrnancy and WT&WJ have it right.  Religion can be detrimental to a person.  In "religion" one can get so caught up in trying to "do all the right things" and such that they get burned out.  Religion was not what we were intended to have.  We were intended to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not to think that we have to serve people all the time.\n\nDon't get me wrong - serving is a great thing, but if that's all you focus on, then you're going to be hurt one of these days.  It's the same with anything else that you feel you are required to do to get into heaven.  All that's required of you is to accept Jesus as your Savior, and the rest of the things in "relgion" are simply perks that you can do to show the rest of the world how much they need Jesus.
13505
You must remember: no matter what non Catholic religion your spouse is, as long as the children are raised Catholic and you are married Catholic it should be ok.
378437
Well, i think that when there are different faiths involved both spouses have to be open minded and they have to communicate with each other about their different religions/ faith. I am not married but i am in a relationship where we both have different religions. We talk about it and we try to know or to learn about the different religion. Mostly because of curiosity but also b/c we have to set boundaries. So if you talk to them and make sure they know how you feel then it'll be alright, but also as long you each of you do not try to impose their religion on each other. Just be open minded and talk about it.