-Inside an Interfaith Relationship-

-Inside an Interfaith Relationship-

Female

19 years old

Roman Catholic

Male

18 years old

Eastern Orthodox

1.    When did your religious difference first surface?

a.     We realized early on that we did not practice the same religion. It wasn’t until later on that I realized [my boyfriend] did not agree with many religions, including my own.

b.     I knew she practiced a different religion before I began dating her.

2.    How much of an impact do your religions have on your relationship?

a.     Our religions do not affect our relationship in a large way, but they do have an impact. I am able to celebrate holidays that I’m not accustomed to with his family and vice versa.

b.     For now, our relationship is not impacted by the difference in our views on religion. I believe it may become an issue in the future.

3.    How important is your own religion to you?

a.     Religion is very important to me. I was raised Catholic and I hope to raise my own children Catholic. It is upsetting that my boyfriend does not practice Catholicism because if I decided to marry him someday, I would want our family to be Catholic, but he would not want the same things.

b.     I realize that it is very important for people to believe in something and have faith in something other than what exists on Earth and religion allows this. Having said this, religion is not important to me.

4.    Would you ever consider converting for a significant other?

a.     I think it would be a very hard choice for me to convert religions because I have been raised in the Catholic Church and religion is a significant factor in my life. If the religion was similar, and my husband was strongly religious then I might consider converting. Otherwise, I would rather my significant other convert to Catholicism.

b.     No. I would never ask someone to do it for me, so I would expect the same treatment from my significant other.

5.    What do your parents think of you dating someone that belongs to a different faith?

a.     My mom is not against me dating men who are not Catholic, but it would concern her if I chose to marry someone who wasn't Catholic. She wants me to continue practicing my religion and wants my children to be raised Catholic.

b.     My parents do not mind.