A background in a different religion. (Or even different churches)

[Not_Now.Soon]

(I'm giving my answer first, but then asking the question.)

I grew up with parents of different religions. My mom is Christian and took us boys to church on Sundays sometimes. The churches as far as I can remember we're not any certain denomination. My dad is Baha'i, and I also went to holiday celebrations from his faith and some of their gatherings. I think I came out of it with an appreation for other people, a love for God, and because of the different faiths a desire to seek the truth.

Now as an adult, in my church there's a couple who attend and switch which church they go to. One week they go to her church (our church) the next they go to his church (a Morman church). Very nice people with good kids, and I'm glad to see they are able to keep their faiths in their family without it dividing them. Growing up without a denomination, I don't think I mind trying out different churches, but my wife would rather stay in our current denomination if we move and find another church. And the reason is a good one, because of the foundation it has been to her in her life. Having a specific denomination and a specific church definitely give a person a stable foundation.

Now the question. Have any of you grown up with another religion or another church in your lives, besides your current church? And do you think it's a good thing or a bad thing to have more then one kind of religous background?

 

[evenifigoalone]

Not sure if it counts, especially since there actually isn't a ton of doctrinal difference, but grew up fundamental baptist and now attend a southern baptist church.

I think it probably can be a good thing to know how other denominations and religions think and work. Understanding where people are coming from is always a good thing, and God can use that.

 

[jasonc]

jw

 

[Mike S]

Yes, I've had two churches in my life for 42 years, ever since my wife and I were married. She a Quaker, and me a Methodist. We frequently attend each others' services. I've attended the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends with her several years, and she attends Bible study with us at the Methodist church. And, of course, is always my faithful companion when I preach. Actually, I usually have my own posse when I preach.

I have a close friend who is the architect for our church projects when we need him. He and his wife are in their 90s, have been married for 65 years. They attend two services every week, her Roman Catholic Church and his Congregational Church, and have throughout their married life together.

 

[jasonc]

Yes, I've had two churches in my life for 42 years, ever since my wife and I were married. She a Quaker, and me a Methodist. We frequently attend each others' services. I've attended the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends with her several years, and she attends Bible study with us at the Methodist church. And, of course, is always my faithful companion when I preach. Actually, I usually have my own posse when I preach.

I have a close friend who is the architect for our church projects when we need him. He and his wife are in their 90s, have been married for 65 years. They attend two services every week, her Roman Catholic Church and his Congregational Church, and have throughout their married life together.

ah I have the original location of the Methodist church here in a photo.

 

[Mike S]

Please let me see.

 

[jasonc]

Please let me see.

Let me dig that up from a person fb.it nothing unique,bland 30s era church.

 

[Free]

(I'm giving my answer first, but then asking the question.)

I grew up with parents of different religions. My mom is Christian and took us boys to church on Sundays sometimes. The churches as far as I can remember we're not any certain denomination. My dad is Baha'i, and I also went to holiday celebrations from his faith and some of their gatherings. I think I came out of it with an appreation for other people, a love for God, and because of the different faiths a desire to seek the truth.

Now as an adult, in my church there's a couple who attend and switch which church they go to. One week they go to her church (our church) the next they go to his church (a Morman church). Very nice people with good kids, and I'm glad to see they are able to keep their faiths in their family without it dividing them. Growing up without a denomination, I don't think I mind trying out different churches, but my wife would rather stay in our current denomination if we move and find another church. And the reason is a good one, because of the foundation it has been to her in her life. Having a specific denomination and a specific church definitely give a person a stable foundation.

Now the question. Have any of you grown up with another religion or another church in your lives, besides your current church? And do you think it's a good thing or a bad thing to have more then one kind of religous background?

I have changed Christian denominations but not religions. It is a good thing if one was once not a Christian, such as Baha'i or Mormon or Muslim, and is now a Christian, but one cannot be both a Christian and a member of another religion; they should not attend services at both.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

I have changed Christian denominations but not religions. It is a good thing if one was once not a Christian, such as Baha'i or Mormon or Muslim, and is now a Christian, but one cannot be both a Christian and a member of another religion; they should not attend services at both.

Then you'd disagree with a family that has parents of different religions? Be fully one thing and raise someone fully in it

Honestly I think it's commendable for the family at my church to switch services every other week. It gives both parents a chance to teach their daughters what both parents think is important for them, without it dividing up their marriage or their family. Often I see the reverse with no compromise.

 

[Free]

Then you'd disagree with a family that has parents of different religions? Be fully one thing and raise someone fully in it

Honestly I think it's commendable for the family at my church to switch services every other week. It gives both parents a chance to teach their daughters what both parents think is important for them, without it dividing up their marriage or their family. Often I see the reverse with no compromise.

I wouldn't necessarily disagree with parents of different religions, where one is a Christian and the other something else, if the one came to faith after marriage. A Christian marrying someone of another faith is not at all advisable. It is commendable that a husband and wife strive to keep the family together but at what expense? Either Christianity is true or it isn't; either Mormonism is true or it isn't. But they cannot both be true and Christians shouldn't be regularly attending services of another religion. What they are teaching their kids is either that Mormons are Christians (false) or that what one believes doesn't really matter (false). Hopefully the kids will recognize the significant differences between the two and start asking probing questions.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

I wouldn't necessarily disagree with parents of different religions, where one is a Christian and the other something else, if the one came to faith after marriage. A Christian marrying someone of another faith is not at all advisable. It is commendable that a husband and wife strive to keep the family together but at what expense? Either Christianity is true or it isn't; either Mormonism is true or it isn't. But they cannot both be true and Christians shouldn't be regularly attending services of another religion. What they are teaching their kids is either that Mormons are Christians (false) or that what one believes doesn't really matter (false). Hopefully the kids will recognize the significant differences between the two and start asking probing questions.

Fair enough points. The strengths of love and tolerance through a diverse background have the pitfalls of potentially not having a reliable foundation. And the strengths of having a solid foundation have the pitfalls of not having anything that can correct it if it's wrong, or to care or understand someone who doesn't have that foundation. Those are some pros and cons that I am aware of. I've seen in others a struggle to understand or care about people in a different religion, and I know that without a foundation to steady you, at least for a little while the waters of faith and finding the truth are rocky with few things to steady the boat.

Your point about being Christian and something else shouldn't mix is also a good point. That said,I doubt anyone living in a family of more then one religion will come to a conclusion that their beliefs don't matter. I say that with experience of extended family trying to convince me (and probabley my brothers) that my dad's faith is from the devil. If both parents hold their faith dearly, and teach their kids what they hold as dear and true, those won't be alone. The children will likely hear others outside of their parents telling them things to try and make them choose their perspective, and some of it might be a dividing and ugly thing in the family. If it's like my family, the risks won't be that a person grows up thinking their beliefs don't matter, but more likely that any religion is something to avoid, but not completely because those are also the roots they came from.

If the family is split with one parent from one religion, and another that's atheist I think it's more likely that the children growing up might have to struggle with the idea that beliefs don't matter. But I honestly can't speak about that situation either. I don't know it as personally.

 

[grams]

My husband just went to heaven June 11............this year!
I am 2 months older then him. 80 years old. We were married for 57 years.
We went to the same schools and lived in the same neighborhood and hung out in a lot of the same places, etc.
Even made our first communion together ! But did not know each other till we worked at the same place.
We were both Catholic ! We had 3 children.
None of us were saved! We never had a bible !

Well our first born son got saved and all of us did after ! Thank God for this friend of our son ! So many others
became saved after.
We found Grace bible church and it is nice to be able to read GOD's word. And know the truth !

I have a good memory to hang on to !
Which at this age is good for me
My husband was always saying he is always right, so of course I am wrong........ Well I was always saying I am going home
first since I am older.......... My husband told me he is always right and he is going home first !
Well as always he was right ! But we [ my family all know we will meet again one day, for eternity !

 

[Mike S]

My husband just went to heaven June 11............this year!
I am 2 months older then him. 80 years old. We were married for 57 years.
We went to the same schools and lived in the same neighborhood and hung out in a lot of the same places, etc.
Even made our first communion together ! But did not know each other till we worked at the same place.
We were both Catholic ! We had 3 children.
None of us were saved! We never had a bible !

Well our first born son got saved and all of us did after ! Thank God for this friend of our son ! So many others
became saved after.
We found Grace bible church and it is nice to be able to read GOD's word. And know the truth !

I have a good memory to hang on to !
Which at this age is good for me
My husband was always saying he is always right, so of course I am wrong........ Well I was always saying I am going home
first since I am older.......... My husband told me he is always right and he is going home first !
Well as always he was right ! But we [ my family all know we will meet again one day, for eternity !

I'm so sorry for you that you've lost your husband, but it sounds like you've had a wonderful life together. God is good, all the time.

Welcome to CF.

 

[Corn Pop]

My husband just went to heaven June 11............this year!
I am 2 months older then him. 80 years old. We were married for 57 years.
We went to the same schools and lived in the same neighborhood and hung out in a lot of the same places, etc.
Even made our first communion together ! But did not know each other till we worked at the same place.
We were both Catholic ! We had 3 children.
None of us were saved! We never had a bible !

Well our first born son got saved and all of us did after ! Thank God for this friend of our son ! So many others
became saved after.
We found Grace bible church and it is nice to be able to read GOD's word. And know the truth !

I have a good memory to hang on to !
Which at this age is good for me
My husband was always saying he is always right, so of course I am wrong........ Well I was always saying I am going home
first since I am older.......... My husband told me he is always right and he is going home first !
Well as always he was right ! But we [ my family all know we will meet again one day, for eternity !

80 and married for 57 years. You and your now in the arms of Jesus husband, are true examples of what companionship and tolerance is all about.

Thanks for sharing. May God comfort you always my friend.

 

[Obadiah]

Yes indeed, thank you for the inspiration and example you have set for the rest of us. Please never forget that even though your husbands time in this life is done and he's gone on to heaven, YOU still have a purpose in serving God here in this life that is important enough for God to keep you here!