Americans @ the Tour de France

When two individuals get married they are combining families along
with all of the traditions, joys, sorrows and prejudices that are part
of their family’s heritages. Interfaith marriages definitely contribute
to the complexity of combining families.

On the other hand when two come together in Holy matrimony they
become the foundation of future generations. This is a beginning of
future generations and the decisions of the newlyweds are what matters.

Interfaith Marriages don’t Matter to God

Marriage is an invention of God’s. Although God’s laws are “defined”
through religion His love is the universal component in all religions
and the most important reality. While one religion may suggest the
worship of God while on your knees and another religion has you
standing up while you pray, both religions are praying to the same God.
It is the guidance of God’s rules for happiness that helped both
individuals become good people as interpreted through their family
first and religion second… right?
The families of both bride and groom sacrificed tremendously in order
to protect and properly care for their respective children so when they
suddenly announce their intention of marrying outside of their faith it
is taken as a rejection of their values and a lack of appreciation for
what they did; it is understandable. But it is not a rejection of the
parents, at worst it is an assertion of a new beginning.
The Spiritual Aspect of God and His Love Underlines all Religions and all Marriages
Marriage is a Spiritual Union
The couple who marries vow to each other with God as their witness, and
it is God who sanctifies the marriage. The couple doesn’t have to worry
about who performs the marriage ceremony; it will still be a Holy
matrimony. But they do have to decide how they will raise their
children.

Future Parents must Make Decisions for their own Family

A universal reality is that once a couple joins together in
matrimony and leaves the house of their parents they begin a new family
and new lineage. Sometimes parents don’t understand what that means at
first. Because of their love and attachment they insist upon continuing
to impose their own values on the new family that they consider to be
an offshoot of their own, and it is. But it is independent, taking root
in its new soil, and the new couple must choose for themselves the
destiny of their family.
It is wise and loving for parents to be supportive of whatever decision the couple makes and not try to influence them.

It is very important for the future parents to decide how their
children will be raised. After all, marriage in the faith of the
children is creating consistency and security for them. Putting off the
presumed “shock” is not helpful. Your parents deserve the consideration
of your honesty. If they reject you because of your decision you must
understand that you knew when you started dating outside your faith
that yours may become an interfaith marriage. You chose to put your
future in your own hands even if it meant partial or total rejection
from your parents and now is not the time to judge them. Let them have
time for the reality to sink in. Let them come to a resolution in their
own mind and in their own way; no selling or cajoling.

Your Family will be Defined by the Values you Adhere To

Now is the time to practice the art of discussions. In my book
Lessons For A Happy Marriage I help couples learn the art of marital
discussions. You may wish to review the principles and techniques found
there. But in the meantime remember some very important points

1) Be nice - control your behavior no matter how you feel
2) Be understanding - no one has a handle on ultimate truth except God
3) Be loving - care deeply for all you interact with

Although getting into a new marriage doesn’t carry the same level of
risk as getting into a new business, the statistics are still pretty
scary; you almost want to call them “sad-istics.” Yet, what choice do
we have but to get married and raise a family in spite of other
people’s past experiences? We are driven to do so. Our biology, our
psychology and even our sociology prods and pushes us; then we find the
right partner and nothing can stop us. People need guidelines for a
happy marriage.

If you think about it you might wonder why no attention is put on
the subject matter of relationships and marriage in school. After all,
not everyone needs algebra to get along in life but everyone needs to
understand relationships in order to have a fulfilling marriage.
Statistics are blind but they’re not dumb; they’re shouting at the top
of their lungs a message of caution and a suggestion to learn.

By reading my book Lessons For A Happy Marriage, everyone has the
ability to learn what it takes to have a happy and fulfilling marriage
for the rest of their life. Nobody needs to set sail on the ocean of
uncertainty filled with all sorts of dangers. When you don’t know how
to sail, even the tiniest wind can set you off course. On the other
hand when you have studied and understand the construction of your
marriage and the threatening elements that can upset your marriage you
will know exactly what to do; the stormiest seas will become mere
zephyrs.

You and your future soul mate deserve to have the happiest marriage
ever. You are divine children set in a fragrant garden filled with
fruits of love and harmony. Remember the following 4 points in order to
live in joy:

1) Marriage is not meant to be hard. Learn the rules and know the
tools so you are not doing the equivalent of using a hairbrush for a
hammer.
2) You are marrying the most important person in your life. Treat them better than you would the President of country.
3) Marriage is where you learn to love unconditionally; always improve your efforts.
4) “Fools argue, wise persons discuss.” Never argue with your spouse.