by Melissa Harlow

Created on: October 22, 2009   Last Updated: October 24, 2009

This conflict starts even before the marriage. The happy couple goes to their respective families and announces the happy occasion only to come across on a few scenarios. A happy, loving, joyous embrace or a complete and total meltdown. Meeting your future in-laws is stressful enough. When you put this factor into the conversation, it can be down-right explosive. There are many things to consider when marrying between faiths. I married out of mine. Both my husband and I are Christian, just of different denominations. A marriage does last despite religious differences. It is an agree to disagree thing. Couples do not see eye to eye on everything. Granted, this is huge. It should be dealt with before the the "I do's" ideally. We mediated our differences in our pre-martial counseling sessions. What we did not prepare ourselves for was the family.

Roman Catholic and Methodist, an odd combination for a Christian marriage. Although, I have heard of stranger mixes than mine. I would be the Catholic, and when I gave birth to our boy he was bapitized after me. That caused a serious stir in the family, to say the least. I was married in his family's church, to satisfy my future in-laws. We have learned along the way that we can survive living in two different faiths.

1. We never push the other faith onto each other. Granted, we are both Christian. Even Christians differ in the way they believe and worship. Neither is right or wrong in our home.

2. We are both secure in our faith. We keep to our teachings as kids and we respect each other's view points.

3. Our family's opinion is their opinion. Both sides have given great opposition to our not going to the same church. We are not moved by their complaints. We are in love and we are doing what works for us and our family.

4. Respect your in-laws disappointment. I know his side preferred that he marry someone from his own church. It is an issue that I have let go of.

5. If you have kids, choose only one faith to avoid confusion. If you can't because the differences are extreme, teach the differences between the faiths. For example, why aren't the Jewish and Christians alike. It will them better understand their heritage on both sides of the family.

Marriage in of itself can be very complicated at times. Having differing core values can make it even more challenging. Ultimately, it is how you handle putting your values into your marriage that matters most.

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