A few months ago I fell in love with a wonderful man and we're talking about getting married in a year or so.
Recently I found out that our religious beliefs are fairly different. I grew up in New York City and was raised Episcopalian however my parents are basically atheists. I decided in college that I do believe in God and enjoy going to church sometimes. I also studied Hinduism and Buddhism in college and lived abroad in Japan for a year. So I have a lot of respect for other religions and believe that they are equally valid paths to god. I even incorporate some Buddhist believes and rituals into my worship.
My new boyfriend on the other hand was raised Episcopalian, but in Texas
(he now lives in NY). He doesn't go to church, but told me that he prays daily, believes in Creation, a literal translation of the Bible, the Judgment and Heaven. He doesn't know much about Eastern religions, but is pre-disposed to think that they are just not as correct as Christianity.
I'm really worried that this could cause a huge problem in our future marriage. I hate to admit it, but when he told me about his beliefs I found them a little ignorant and close-minded. I am trying to educate him about Eastern Religions a little to broaden his mind, but I worry that this will backfire and make him resent me or just become more stubborn about his convictions.
I also worry about what he would teach our children. I don't want my children taught that evolution is wrong and they'll go to hell if they don't pray every day. My boyfriend says that religion is personal and he would never force it on his children, but I worry that he would eventually, maybe without knowing it.
Can marriages work if one person has strong religious beliefs that the other person doesn't share?
Recently I found out that our religious beliefs are fairly different. I grew up in New York City and was raised Episcopalian however my parents are basically atheists. I decided in college that I do believe in God and enjoy going to church sometimes. I also studied Hinduism and Buddhism in college and lived abroad in Japan for a year. So I have a lot of respect for other religions and believe that they are equally valid paths to god. I even incorporate some Buddhist believes and rituals into my worship.
My new boyfriend on the other hand was raised Episcopalian, but in Texas
(he now lives in NY). He doesn't go to church, but told me that he prays daily, believes in Creation, a literal translation of the Bible, the Judgment and Heaven. He doesn't know much about Eastern religions, but is pre-disposed to think that they are just not as correct as Christianity.
I'm really worried that this could cause a huge problem in our future marriage. I hate to admit it, but when he told me about his beliefs I found them a little ignorant and close-minded. I am trying to educate him about Eastern Religions a little to broaden his mind, but I worry that this will backfire and make him resent me or just become more stubborn about his convictions.
I also worry about what he would teach our children. I don't want my children taught that evolution is wrong and they'll go to hell if they don't pray every day. My boyfriend says that religion is personal and he would never force it on his children, but I worry that he would eventually, maybe without knowing it.
Can marriages work if one person has strong religious beliefs that the other person doesn't share?