Interfaith marriage in Christianity
An interfaith marriage, also known as an interreligious marriage, is defined by Christian denominations as a marriage between a Christian and a non-Christian (e.g. a marriage between a Christian and a Jew, or a Muslim), whereas an interdenominational marriage is between members of two different Christian denominations, such as a Lutheran Christian wedding a Catholic Christian, for example.
Almost all Christian denominations permit
Certain Christian denominations, such as the
Inter-denominational marriages
In
In Methodism, ¶81 of the 2014 Discipline of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection, states with regard to interdenominational marriages: "We do not prohibit our people from marrying persons who are not of our connection, provided such persons have the form and are seeking the power of godliness; but we are determined to discourage their marrying persons who do not come up to this description."[5]
The Catholic Church recognizes as sacramental, (1) the marriages between two baptized Protestants or between two baptized Orthodox Christians, as well as (2) marriages between baptized non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians,[9] although in the latter case, consent from the diocesan bishop must be obtained, with this termed "permission to enter into a mixed marriage".[10] To illustrate (1), for example, "if two Lutherans marry in the Lutheran Church in the presence of a Lutheran minister, the Catholic Church recognizes this as a valid sacrament of marriage."[9] On the other hand, although the Catholic Church recognizes marriages between two non-Christians or those between a Catholic Christian and a non-Christian, these are not considered to be sacramental, and in the latter case, the Catholic Christian must seek permission from his/her bishop for the marriage to occur; this permission is known as "dispensation from disparity of cult".[11]
The
Inter-religious marriages
The early Christian Synod of Elvira prohibited interreligious marriage "no matter how few eligible men there are, for such marriages lead to the adultery of the soul."[4] The Church of the East, in the Council of Seleucia-Ctesiphon in AD 410, ruled that "Christian women should not marry across religious boundaries" though it allowed for Christian men to marry "women of all nations" (neshē men kul 'ammin) in order that Christian men would "instruct them in the ways of Christianity."[12] The cultural context at the time was that a couple's children would follow the religion of the father.[13] The Council of Elvira forbade Christian parents who permitted their daughters to marry nonbelievers to receive Holy Communion, "even at the time of death".[4]
In the Presbyterian Church (USA), the local church congregation is tasked with supporting and including the interfaith couple in the life of the Church, "help[ing] parents make and live by commitments about the spiritual nurture of their children", and being inclusive of the children of the interfaith couple.[8] The pastor is to be available to help and counsel the interfaith couple in their life journey.[8]
In the
In
See also
- Christian views on marriage
- Disparity of worship
- Synod of Elvira
- Christian views on sin
References
- ISBN 978-1-136-28557-8.
Furthermore, from the judges' understanding of Christian teaching, interfaith marriage is similarly disallowed in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 6:14).
- ISBN 978-0-943575-97-1.
Although the church has attempted to work from these lines in formulating policies about so-called mixed marriages, the present verses do not deal with the majority of interfaith marriages as we know them in the late twentieth century. Paul is writing to first-century, first-generation converts, many of whom had religious backgrounds in paganism and many of whom might have spouses who were not believers.
- ISBN 978-0-7619-2729-7.
... most Christian churches support members who take part in intermarriage, citing 1 Corinthians 7:12-14.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-61164-192-9.
The Council of Elvira also prohibited interreligious marriage: 15. Christian girls are not to marry pagans, no matter how few eligible men there are, for such marriages lead to the adultery of the soul. 17. If parents allow their daughter to marry a pagan priest, they shall not receive communion even at the time of death.
- ^ a b c The Discipline of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection (Original Allegheny Conference). Salem: Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection. 2014. p. 33.
- ^ The United Methodist Church. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Book IV; Part I; Title VII; Chapter VI: Mixed Marriages (Can. 1124–1129)". 1983 Code of Canon Law. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ a b c Interfaith Marriage. Presbyterian Church (USA). 6 October 2010. p. 2.
- ^ ISBN 9780809138449.
The Catholic Church considers marriages of baptized Protestants to be valid marriages. So if two Lutherans marry in the Lutheran Church in the presence of a Lutheran minister, the Catholic Church recognizes this as a valid sacrament of marriage.
- ISBN 9789966081063.
We might remind ourselves here that a marriage between a Catholic and a baptized person that takes place in the Catholic Church, or in another Church with permission from the diocesan bishop, is a sacramental union. Such a marriage is a life-long union and no power on earth can dissolve it.
- ^ "Are non-Catholic marriages valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church? What if a Catholic marries a non-Catholic?". Catholic Answers. 1996. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
Supernatural marriages exist only between baptized people, so marriages between two Jews or two Muslims are only natural marriages. Assuming no impediments, marriages between Jews or Muslims would be valid natural marriages. Marriages between two Protestants or two Eastern Orthodox also would be valid, presuming no impediments, but these would be supernatural (sacramental) marriages and thus indissoluble.
- ISBN 978-0-8122-5027-5.
- ISBN 978-81-8458-088-4.
- ^ a b "Book IV; Part I; Title VII; Chapter III". 1983 Code of Canon Law. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Can. 1086. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ Bouscaren, Timothy Lincoln (1957). The Canon Law Digest: 1953-1957. Bruce. p. 7.
- ^ "Avoid marrying Muslims advises Portuguese cardinal". TVNZ. Reuters. January 15, 2009. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ^ "Portugal cardinal warns of marriage with Muslims". Reuters. 14 January 2009.
- Wesleyan Holiness Association of Churches. 2017. p. 22.