Household Shrines in a Multi-Religion Household

[Ashildr]

That’s an interesting situation, thanks for sharing. I hadn’t thought of it being an issue even between Christian denominations. I guess my boyfriend and I are lucky in the sense that both of us like icons, so it’s just figuring out how to accommodate them.

Do you feel like not having icons to focus on takes something from your spirituality or was it easy for you to adapt and find other ways to create your sacred space?

 

[twf]

It was difficult and frustrating at first, but I’ve come to use that Bible with the printed icon of Christ to centre my prayers at home. And of course I can always visit churches to light candles before icons / statues etc.

Regarding differences between Christians… yes, in my wife’s home country, a radical fundamentalist Protestant was arrested for taking a sledgehammer into a basilica that’s home to the miraculous Altagracia icon. It can be a big issue.

 

[PaladinSword]

Though I see your point I’m not even saying for it to be explicit.

For me and my Ex it was simply a katana we made and decorated together and a rosary from my grandmother. When we split I gave her the sword and kept the rosary.

It doesn’t even need to be a deity as much as something special space shared by the couple. Could even be a photograph.

Plus dating and dunking is to be avoided. Despite prior experience or attempts I think if you’re with someone you should accept them for who they are. Non possessive hypothetical “you” or as in “one”

 

[mr.p]

Someone who reconstructs the Norse religion, and worships the Norse Aesir, Vanir, and Vettir.

 

[Horton]

I wouldn’t marry a non Christian or a Christian who would deny me the ability to have my prayer area and display my Catholic pictures and items.

 

[halogirl]

I hope you work it out. Just from my own experience with dating those not of my own faith. It’s takes someone very strong and mature for this to work out. God bless you both

 

[mrsdizzyd]

He can have the kids baptised, take them to Mass, say the rosary at home, all that stuff, with the understanding that I’m not going to stop openly practicing my faith either, especially since I have a role as clergy in my community, and will allow the kids to participate in that to the degree that it’s appropriate for their age and if they want to.

If he is devout, as you say he is, is he really ok with this? From a Catholic perspective, this kind of situation is a no no.

Just make sure he is really ok with this and not committing himself to something he doesn’t really agree with out of love for you…

 

[alice24]

The problem is that there is not such a christian viewpoint as “they (the pagan religions) simply go another route to the same truth”. Idolatry is nothing one can discuss away from the bible, and there the problem starts for your children at least. They will learn that mummy is worshipping in an idolatric way on one side of the family and on the other, they´ll hear it´s ok. I would at least think about your reaction as couple to those insecurities. I heard from some people that it´s ok to let children grow up with ambivalent meanings to learn that disagreement is ok even in a family, but it´s up to you to decide if this is also ok and not to much to bear for a child when it comes to such a big theme as religion. I personally have no first hand experience.