So this is something that has been on my mind for a while and I figured I'd post it here just in case anyone has done this and can offer any advice. I'm Jewish. I was raised in an interfaith home (Mom- Jewish, Dad-Catholic). My dad was not very religious, so based on what my parents tell me, it was a fairly easy decision that my brother and I would be raised Jewish. I am not very religious either. I went through Hebrew school, had my Bar Mitzvah, was Confirmed, and now I essentially only visit a synagogue on the big holidays. Based on how my dating life has gone so far, there is a very good chance I could end up marrying a Christian. There aren't many Jews that I meet, and the ones that I do meet I usually do not like. Religion is definitely not a make-or-break issue with me regarding marriage- as long as the girl is okay with me being Jewish, I am okay with her being something else. Also, since I am not very religious, I can see myself raising my children with my wife's religion... and I am okay with this. However there is one issue that I keep coming back to as a potential problem in this arrangement. Correct me if I am wrong, but in the Christian faith there is the belief that if you do not accept Jesus, you are going to Hell. Now, obviously as a Jew, I do not believe this. If I raised my kids Christian, however, there will be a dilemma. How could I have my kids believing I am going to Hell? Wouldn't this be a pretty big issue? Or am I just over-thinking this? I'm only 21, so marriage probably will not come anytime soon. This isn't anything that is keeping me up at night, rather it's just something that creeps into my mind from time to time. I don't want this to turn into an argument on which religion is better, and converting is not something I am interested in doing. Hopefully somebody out there can offer some advice. Thanks in advance!
My brother in law is Catholic and has two children from a previous marriage that have been raised Catholic. His current wife is Jewish and they (i.e. she) are raising the daughter they have together in the Jewish faith. They have no issues, but that may be that my brother in law isn't a very "strict" Catholic. Interestingly enough, she goes to a Catholic school. I think she will be starting second grade so it will be interesting to see what questions she has as she gets older.
It is really only the bat**** crazy Christians that believe that people of all other faiths, or no other faith, are going to burn in eternal hellfire. (Anybody want to debate or discuss that? Because I would love it.) Avoid those crazy ****ers and you ought to be okay.
You know I love ya bro, and I think this is going to fall on deaf ears, but do you realize that sometimes you can be as intolerant and judgemental towards the other side? At times it is like you're their doppleganger.
That reminds me of the time I was sidelining as a country singer. And... intolerant of intolerance? Sure. Judgmental of judgment? Of course. What's your point? This is a thread about people that think everyone that doesn't believe what they do will burn in Hell eternally. You were wanting me to "tolerate" that hateful nonsense? "Gosh, that Batman's such a dick! Why can't he tolerate our belief he's going to Hell for all eternity for not saying Jesus' name? He's like our doppleganger!" There is a difference, Tex.
Intolerance is intolerance, period. I'm no fan of the intolerant, in either scope. I love my brother, but he has been judgemental in the past, and I always check him on it. Look, you check me at times, also. People have views, and some are repugnant. But to treat them with the same type of venom is counterproductive. It tends to fuel the fire.
If it's somebody that thinks I'm going to hell... well Fatty, they can go to hell. And, no, it's not the same. It's impossible for me to judge anyone that harshly because I'm not quite self-righteous enough to think that people who don't think like me will suffer eternally. Nor am I r****ded enough to think that.
And that's just about the 50th dumbest thing you've ever posted here. Given your track record, that's pretty high up there brah.
Ugh. Whatever. As I said, I was pretty sure I was speaking on deaf ears. You can quit with the insults on me, as well, if you don't mind. Do you not see how bitter this is making you?
I'm not bitter about this at all. You have a bad ear for the internet. I was actually the only one that answered the OP's question and my answer was that it's all going to be okay as long as he doesn't wind up with someone who is truly insane. I expect that he won't. I was allaying his fears. If there is someone on here that is offended by the notion that it's crazy to think that people that don't think what they think will burn in hell, I'm not bitter about that. I feel sorry for them and hope they get attention for their serious mental health disorder, and fast. Because that is some cuckoo bananas crazy working there. The fact that you think you need to stick up for lunatics like that? Or that I actually hate them? Wow, man. I don't know what to say. But I'm never bitter or angry at all when I reply to you. You're my favorite BBS'er to talk to cause you're just so damn funny all the time.
And on the level of dumb... brah.... I would prefer we have a CF debate where we speak and debate, as well. Nice, well thought out diatribes kill on the interwebs, but I have yet to lose any argument when I've talked to someone. They always give up. And the fact that I'm only polarized on the things I know are incorrect help my cause. Point is, what does all of this anger do? Every sane person knows that all change is slow and incremental. The fact that you want something now is both admirable and impossible. I think Deckaed has learned this. Nothing wrong with fighting the fight, but realize it is a marathon. You can't get pissed to hell at mile one! I will say this once. If you think I'm an idiot, lets have a debate on something we both are adamant about. And let others judge. Otherwise, really, quit with that nonsense. "Opinions" don't equal "intelligence." But I would like to rip you one.
Stop it! You're killing me! Fatty, I'm not angry... I'm delightful. But sure, you want to "rip me one?" That would be hilarious. Go ahead.
I stand up for them because it is what they believe. I try to catch them and tell them about the judging thing but it is something they feel compassionately about. I love my brother, and I believe in God, but I've scolded him several times with things he has said. I've hoped it helped. Who knows.
C'mon. Figure out a polarizing topic. Have a few CF fans there. They choose the winner. Oh! And loser pays everyone's tab! With the leg, we may want to wait, but this sounds like a "win win" situation!
And I'm not trying to change anyone's mind if he believes in The Devil, "incrementally" or otherwise. What would be the point in that? Those people don't need their minds changed; they need professional psychiatric help. I was just honestly answering the OP: No worries marrying a Christian. Worries if marrying one of the crazy people that believes Jews are burning in Hell. You take that as angry? Or intolerant? I think you "ripped me one" just now! I just popped a stitch from laughing at you. I mean with you! WITH you!!!
