Can Religious Differences Prevent a Relationship?

One of the most important things that any relationship needs is the aspect of having things in common. While it’s great to enjoy such things as the same music and movies, those differences can nearly always be overcome. Something that’s often not so easy to move past is that of religious differences. This doesn’t mean something along the lines of you being a Baptist and your partner is a Presbyterian. Those beliefs are so similar that you can easily mesh them together and even attend the same church. The big differences come with Catholics, Christians, Judaism, and even the Pentecostal beliefs. These religious sectors have widely varying beliefs that can be really difficult to somehow compromise.

For example, Judaism is not only a religion. It’s the faith and lifestyle of the Jewish people, and if you’re not born into it, many families will have trouble accepting you. However, most of them will embrace you if you choose to convert to Judaism. That can be a huge decision for someone that’s been a devoted Catholic all of their life.

Catholicism is also another faith where the differences are difficult to move past. Years ago, it was frowned upon greatly for Catholics and mainstream religions to mix. This is, however, another religious group that are more than happy to help someone learn and convert to their faith.

Pentecostals hold fundamentalist beliefs that seem to be almost a stand-alone type of religion. There are various differences in the churches of this faith. Some don’t believe in music or in the women cutting their hair, for instance. Others not only love music but have bands as part of their worship services. Some churches of this type believe that talking in tongues is possible while this isn’t a part of other churches.

In recent years, the Pagan and Wiccan faith has become larger. This group also have their own way of looking at things but if you compare this oldest religion to many aspects of Christianity, you’ll see where the Christians pulled many of their rituals and beliefs from. In fact, today, there are even such groups as Pagan Christians.

The point is, if religion is a vital part of your life and that of your partner, it’s obviously going to be easier if you both have similar beliefs. However, just because you may not, doesn’t mean that you can’t have a successful relationship. There will be compromises that must be discussed before you take a serious step such as getting married, though. If one of you is convinced that his or her religion is the only true path, chances are, that person isn’t going to convert. It becomes simple if one of you is totally devoted and the other one is kind of open to change. However, if you’re both very solid in your religious beliefs, there will be compromises that need to be made not only in the type of wedding you’ll have but also how any future children will be raised.

If both of you are truly in love with each other and are determined to make the relationship work, it is possible to overcome the obstacles that may stand in your way by working together and being fairminded.