Take heart that accepting your family’s choices doesn’t mean you can’t express different views or share how it feels when their words land painfully for you. Attending Services and Asking Questions Go to different religious places. My family is Asian and my parents are more traditionally Asian (doesn't speak English) and us siblings are more Americanized because we have been in the states for a long time. Do you feel that religion plays a positive role in your family? Beliefs, including religious beliefs, are a set of values and rules that give kids a sense of certainty and peace. But, being true to the Catholic Church I could not attend a different church. Here's the situation. Children can legally choose to follow any religion at any age – however, if parents feel that following a specific religion may exert a harmful influence over a child below the age of 18, they can apply to the court for wardship and have their child made a Ward of Court. Choosing one religion can strain relationships with the extended family celebrating the “out-religion.” Parents feel they must be on guard against grandparents from the “other side” proselytizing or lobbying in more subtle ways. Take heart that accepting your family’s choices doesn’t mean you can’t express different views or share how it feels when their words land painfully for you. An extreme example would be religious discrimination and terrorism. As a result, families have helped promote and preserve religious beliefs and traditions. The problem that I see in many Christian circles is that many people use the grace of God to indulge in sin. You say that you’re trying to embrace all different types of pieties as valid conduits to the sacred. Between 2012 and 2014 alone, some 7.5 million Americans lost their religious faith. Is that even possible? Can you relinquish the lukewarm goal of tolerating them and ask your sacred compass to continually guide you toward genuine and vulnerable connection with them, despite your differences? Dating, kissing, holding hands were not allowed. These activities include going to church, praying and studying religious texts. But deciding to leave isn't straightforward. Yes, in many different ways religion does have a strong effect on marriages, being good or bad. An article in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion argues that conservative Christian parents define well behaved children as obedient and they discouraged autonomy. Religious institutions can provide moral and ethical education, emotional support and social interactions. And a great many of them are parents — or will be someday. This is according to the Journal Family Relations that examined 200 married men and women of 20 different religions. Some people feel free to choose a religion for themselves, or to reject religion entirely as a part of their identity. 1st Timothy 5:8 warns that failing to provide for one's own family makes a man WORSE than an unsaved heathen. Choose your partner’s religion. I am a non practicing Catholic but true to my faith and the same for her. What is the Purpose of the Rosary in Catholic Life? I truly believe it is helping me to live a good life. Would you say yes, or no? It’s different, though, than the church I grew up in: it’s tolerant, open, inquisitive, and more socially and economically progressive than many Christian churches I’ve encountered. Growing up was very dysfunctional, and all of that was tied back to religion. Cults are social or religious groups that often control their members mentally, physically, maritally or sexually. I had an extremely wonderful relationship until my partner got involved with church. Having Disputes About Religion and Child Custody? A study published in the Journal Developmental Psychology, found that more religious parents had more cohesive family relationships. Mothers who attended religious services less often over time reported a lower-quality relationship with their adult child. Does that include theirs, even if theirs isn’t as inclusive as your own? Generally, a parent’s religious beliefs won't form the sole basis for a court's custody decision—instead, judges will consider a variety of factors to determine what custody arrangement will be in the child's best interests. Additionally, he wants you to sacrifice all of them like Abraham. For example, the Catholic Faith teaches us to live out virtues of love, patience and humility and these are useful for dealing with tricky relationship issues. To be blunt: I don’t know how to share what’s important to me with those who should be closest to me! Additionally, being part of a religious faith offers opportunities for enjoying activities together which in turn could strengthen family relationships. We live in a rapidly changing world that has significantly altered the way people view relationships. Get Sound Legal Advice Today. Choosing Religion over Family.? Christianity is a religion, but as believers we treat it as a relationship. Most of us … This disorientation largely occurs when we read our holy texts and, rather than focusing inward and using these words as our chosen sacred compass, we externalize their guidelines and insist others follow. Overall, when there is a religious discord among families, or when some family members practice or believe differently than others, religion can … It sounds as if you and your family have a history of making demands of each other around adopting your chosen life compasses. Punishments for very small things — yelling and screaming — all tied back to religion. The sooner we get over this, the better for the species. Since you are the parent to your children and make legal decisions for them until they are adults, you are free to choose their religion, too. Researchers believe that this might be due to the community support that has been made available by organized religion. Discuss the merits of ideas - don't attack people. 3. Some people put religion at the center of their family relationships and traditions while others do not put as much importance on it. The role that religion plays in our family life is a deeply personal choice. Secularism is on the rise. 2021 Spirituality & Health (en-US) MEDIA, LLC. When couples share a common religious background or faith, they have a common middle ground to sort out relational troubles. “Why didn’t she call me back?” wonders a guy after a first date. The minority in Western Thrace, Greece, has long enjoyed a special status where family and inheritance matters were subject to Sharia law and religious jurisdiction (Mufti). Everything was a sin; everything was extremely controlled. I believe the following four principles should be used to guide one in choosing which religion he or she will follow and, if properly applied, I believe they will point to Christianity as the most rational choice. Do I keep quiet around my family and risk cultivating an inauthentic self that pops up only when I’m around them? My family accepts my guy as he is. This suggests that while religious families had more harmonious relationships, they were not necessarily healthy for their children. A family that is part of an organized faith will also experience solid community support and guidance, as the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.”. After years of obstinate atheism and combative agnosticism, I’ve recently (and somewhat embarrassingly!) I warned her several times of the toll it would take on our relationship, sure enough my fears were realized. Or do I risk engagement, which I’m almost absolutely sure will lead to me being attacked and saying that their faith tradition is wrongheaded in its fundamentalism and lack of tolerance? Which religion should I choose? This negative mentality also manifests in more subtle ways within the family. Can you accept their choice of compasses for themselves? Religion has played an important role in human society for many years. I’m swimming in different waters; I’m trying to embrace all different types of pieties as valid conduits to the sacred. 5) Religious organizations also offer resources that can help families strengthen their value system. When taken to the extreme, religion can cause followers to be intolerant toward those who they perceive to be different from them. 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