different religions

soraya · #1 04-22-2002, 03:22 AM

Does this matter in a relationship. I'm not religious (I believe in reincarnation) and Darrell is muslim. I know JD is also a muslim and Shawna not. I wonder if there's anybody else around here who's in a relationship with someone who has a different religion then you? How does this effect your relationship?

jdswifey02 · #2 04-22-2002, 04:48 PM

Soraya... I know you and I have talked about this a little bit, but I guess I will share a few comments just for all to read.... part of why the difference in JD's and I's faiths is that we are both rather "ecclectic" when it comes to religion... I was raised Lutheran but had some issues with religion, particularly with the Christian church.... Over the past ten years, I have studied many religions and have found fundamental truths expressed in different ways... I have come to believe that God intended diversity in religion much in the same way that he has created so much diversity in everything else he created... from birds to fish to trees to people.... I believe there is one truth, but many ways to speak it, teach it and live it.... I believe there is one God, but many paths to understanding.... JD is somewhat the same.... His family is Christian, but he has found the Muslim faith as the "path" he is comfortable with.... We are both very open to reading and reflecting on things from all different faiths though.... I do find in our relationship though that if I am trying to make a point about something, if I can frame it in terms of Islam, sometimes it is more readily received...

soraya · #3 04-23-2002, 02:46 AM

thanks Shawna. I think I told you Darrell is rather extreme in some things. Well, not so extreme that it becomes dangerous or anything. He just talks about it a hole lot. In the beginning he tried to convince me (before we fell in love) to convert to Islam too, but I'm glad that he stopped pushing once I told him how I feel about it. Sometimes it's quite difficult. I like to discuss things about religion (any kind of religion) so I talk about things with him I think that are not completely right in Islam. I think he doesn't want to see it or think about it, he says: that's how Islam is, it's the word of Allah, so it's right. You can't understand as long as you're not a muslim'. Sometimes I ask him things and ask him to answer this himself, not the muslim man in him...know what I mean?

Budwoman · #4 04-23-2002, 01:11 PM

Both of you are so very right.... The very thing about your beliefs is to research everything.... Find out about every religion and belief in a Higher Power. Get answers for yourself. Learn all you can... Then make your own decisions about what and where you believe.

The only thing I ask you to do, is really search for answers. There really is a Higher Power. It will give your strength, both in Life and in being able to help others.

My Love
Donna

jdswifey02 · #5 04-23-2002, 02:51 PM

Soraya...
In my experience with JD and his understanding of Islam, he doesn't ever really get into the mindset that anything he has learned is the end-all be all.... After all, Islam encompasses the Old Testament AND the New Testament and Muhummed was yet ANOTHER teacher.... But again, JD and I are alike in that we utilize religion as a "guide," but find it very important to have our own personal relationship with and understanding of a Higher Power... we both believe that God is in our hearts if we welcome him there, so that is where we turn to hear his voice....

soraya · #6 04-24-2002, 02:32 AM

has JD been a muslim for a long time? Sometimes, when Darrell gets too extreme for me, I think it's because he's been a muslim for only 4 years and is still searching the right way, that makes him feel most comfortable.

danielle · #7 04-24-2002, 09:18 AM

My husband and I are of different religions - both protestant, but with some differing beliefs/views. He has studied the Bible a lot and has in his mind black and white how it's "supposed to be." I respect him for educating himself in his chosen faith. We agreed long ago to openly discuss our views (not argue), be open-minded with one another, and not try and convert each other. I can accept his beliefs and he can accept mine. I have found that the core of our beliefs are the same: be good to your fellow man, try and do the right thing, and have faith that there is something greater than yourself (even if it's humanity). I don't know if this rambling makes sense, but when we both agree to be open-minded, there is no coflict, only learning about one another. Wayne doesn't believe it's his job to change or convert me - only love and accept me as I am.

soraya · #8 04-24-2002, 09:33 AM

thanks. that's what we're working on, discussing and not arguing

jdswifey02 · #9 04-24-2002, 11:55 AM

Soraya... to answer your question... JD started learning about Islam from when he was first incarcerated.. but has been an actual "practicing" Muslim for about 5 years....

soraya · #10 04-25-2002, 02:59 AM

Darrell has been for 4 years now.

B-Ray · #11 04-25-2002, 10:01 PM

Religion: In my view, and I know it isn't shared by many!

But IMO, todays Church(s) are nothing more then "man's" better ideas in what to do, how to do it and when things are in order with God. And on the very broad base, which "god".

Spending a little time in the Greek for the English reader, one can see where things have gone way out in left field in a lot of areas. The basic's to believe is there, but the roll playing isn't IMO

sherri13 · #12 04-25-2002, 10:57 PM

I am not big on labels, names, or specific doctrines.I agree with you BRay that many parts of churches are "man-made" and are about appearances, rituals, and insignificant things in my opinion. I believe that the important thing is one's PERSONAL relationship with God.

Sherri

Budwoman · #13 04-26-2002, 07:47 AM

YOU GUYS ARE VERY RIGHT IN A LOT OF WAYS. MY ATTITUDE ABOUT IT IS, CHURCH IS A HOSPITAL FOR SINNERS. I NEVER WAS A GREAT CHURCH GOER, EVEN THOUGH I HAD A STRONG BELIEF IN GOD AND JESUS AND I STUDIED THE BIBLE CONSISTANTLY. BUT, AS I GOT OLDER AND DECIDED TO START GOING TO CHURCH, I FOUND THAT BEING INVOLVED WITH OTHER SINNERS JUST LIKE ME, AND WATCHING THEM BECOME BETTER HUMAN BEINGS BECAUSE OF THE CHURCH, I BEGAN TO BECOME EVEN STRONGER IN MY BELIEFS. OHHHHH, NEVER WILL WE BE PERFECT....NOT ONE OF US....ONLY ONE PERFECT HUMAN BEING EVER ON THIS EARTH, AND THAT WAS JESUS CHRIST....

YES, YOU ARE VERY RIGHT...AND THERE ARE HIPPOCRITS IN CHURCHS, BUT, AT LEAST THEY ARE TRYING TO BE BETTER.... OF COURSE, AS ALWAYS, I VOICE MY OPINION TO THEM...HA HA..

LOVE YA
DONNA

bella · #14 04-29-2002, 03:52 PM

HE IS ROMAN CATHOLIC (GO FIGURE, HE WAS BORN IN ROME,LOL) AND I AM JEWISH. WHERE WE GREW UP THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE ONE OF THE TWO SO WE BOTH NEW QUITE A BIT ABOUT EACHOTHERS RELIGION. I HAVE FOUND THIS AN EASY THING FOR US TO DEAL WITH, BUT HAVE HAD OTHER RELATIONSHIPS WHERE IT WAS A PROBLEM. NEITHER ONE OF US IS VERY RELIGIOUS, I AM MORE RELIGIOUS THATN HIM THOUGH. HE BELIVES IN A HIGHER POWER BUT DOES NOT PRACTICE AS MUCH AS I DO. WE HAVE BEEN TO THE VATICAN TO SEE JP 3 TIMES TOGETHER. WE ALSO SPENT TO DAYS IN THE GHETTO OF ROME AND THE TEMPLE THERE, THE LARGEST IN ITALY. HE HAS ALSO COME TO TEMPLE WITH ME FOR THE HIGH HOLIDAYS AND ME WITH HIM FOR X-MAS EVE. HE ALSO LIGHTS THE CANDELS ON THE MENORAH EVERY NIGHT FOR CHANUKA AND KNOWS THE PARYER BY HEART. WE HAVE A X-MAS TREE WITH A STAR OF DAVID, THAT I MADE AS THE TREE TOPPER. X-MAS IS MY FAVORITE OF ALL HOLIDAYS! WE LOOK AT IT THE POSITIVE WAY, WE GET TO CELEBRATE BOTH, GET DOUBLE THE PRESENTS, AND NEVER HAVE TO ARGUE ABOUT WHO'S FAMILIES HOUSE WE'LL GO TO EXCEPT FOR ON THANKSGIVING.
SINCE BY RELIGIOUS LAW OUR CHILDREN (G-D WILLING WE WILL HAVE THEM) WILL BE JEWISH, AND SINCE I'M MORE RELIGIOUS WE WILL RAISE THEM AS JEWS. THEY WILL LEARN ABOUT CHRISTIANITY FROM HIM AND COURSE CELEBRATE THOSE HOLIDAYS TOO. IF THEY CHOOSE TO BECOME CATHOLIC WHEN THEY GET OLDER THEY WILL HAVE THE CHOICE TO DO THAT. HE SAYS HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE THE SAME RELIGION AS THEY ARE NOW IF THEY HAD THE ABILITY TO LEARN ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT ONES AND CHOOSE. MAKES YOU THINKS HUH.
WELL ENOUGH BLABBING FROM ME.

B-Ray · #15 04-29-2002, 05:45 PM

Religion doesn't have to be a touchie subject if a person knows the foundation on which it is built and the tread over time that it has followed.

There are a lot of things in life we just except what we are told. Religion shouldn't be one of them IMO