Well, it's about that time of year-- the celebration of Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa. But it's also that time of year for many that have two (some even have more) different religious traditions at this time. So here are my questions:

Are any of you affected by having different religious traditions in your family?

How have you handled these differences?

Does it cause problems?



My family and I are very much affected by this and I will eventually respond, but I'd rather get other responses first.



Shalom,
Vern

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"The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge."-- Einstein

I am from Germany and there we celebrate Christmas...Christmas Eve in the late afternoon. We eat a large fancy dinner and then open the presents. My better half (he's better than me : ) is from Puerto Rico. Him and his family celebrate Christmas at midnight. My sisters and brothers living here in America have integrated into the american tradition of celebrating Christmas in the morning time.

We try to make the rounds...starting at our house, then going to his family and then going in the morning time to my sister's house where we meet with my family.

In the past it has been a hassel to get everything under one hat. The kids don't want to leave their presents they just opened up and I like to drink a glass of wine while I watch the kids unpack their presents. I don't drink and drive and I won't let my better half (he's better then me : ) drink and drive.

I would find it better to stay at home christmas eve and visit everyone the next day. So far I sometimes get my way (more often than not) and sometimes his family gets their way. I have ways to convince him ; )

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May your awareness be perfection

I am a firm believer that we should celebrate every holiday regardless of religion we practice. That way we all party all the time.

__________________
"Philosophy is a walk on a slippery rock
Religion is a smile on a dog."

I agree wholeheartedly with you Rev.Kelly! In Malaysia, we celebrates all festivities together, regardless of race. Cultural experiences as we called it.

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And I'll third that motion! You buying?

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"The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge."-- Einstein

Our situation:

We have three "kids" (40, 39, & 35) and 6 grandchildren (from 2 to 9). Our oldest daughter is converting to Judaism but has already been raising her kids Jewish (her husband is an agnostic with a Catholic background). Our younger daughter is Catholic (as is her husband) and raising her children as such, and our son is non-theistic leaning towards Buddhism (his wife is agnostic with no particular interest in any religious group). My wife is an observant Catholic, and I'm Jewish who attends a Reform synagog but am non-theistic and more in line with Buddhist dharma without the more religious "attachments".

We celebrate all the major holidays, and our grandchildren have really picked up on it. Nobody tries to convert anyone else, and there's no problem attending one another's services. We can discuss differences and there's never been a serious argument (knocks on wood between ears) between us.

For us, the above works, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it to all families by any means since I've seen some families torn apart by religious disputes.

Shalom,
Vern

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"The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge."-- Einstein

It sounds like you have found a way to make it work, and that is how the world should work.

In my house, my children have not chosen a religion, and I don't beleive in "raising" them in one. My husband is Catholic and I am agnostic (I guess that is as good of a description as anything) with a tendency to lean toward Paganism. The only time I have any trouble is with my father-in-law. He seems to think that nothing is as good as being Catholic. He doesn't seem to get that people don't see the world as he does.

Thanks for sharing the Interfaithness of you family

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"Philosophy is a walk on a slippery rock
Religion is a smile on a dog."

Rev Kelly, thanks for both your response and the compliment. I think we're fortunate to live in a time amd place whereas a great many people are not so willing to condemn or look down on others simply because their religion is different.

I attend Catholic services regularly with my wife and have done as such for over 40 years. One of the things I've noticed with the many priests we've experienced over the years is that those who are directly from Europe tend to be "old school" and those who were American born tend to be more tolerant of diversity. I can't say that what I've experienced is necessarily the norm, however.

My wife's from Italy, and when we stayed with her relatives there, they were just absolutely blown away by the fact that my wife actually had a Jewish husband. There was one question after another after another. They simply are not used to this.

Shalom,
Vern

__________________
"The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge."-- Einstein