How can you possibly have a strong affiliations to "family values" also say "I can't condemn this practice of interfaith marriages" (SEE YOUR RESPONSE) and attack the process of inter faith marriage as guarentted ways to "jeopardize the stability and happiness of the home"...By saying that "It mean" you are saying that it is a "Stone cold certainty" You also say: There have been times when eventually the person who is not of the other's faith becomes aware of the blessings that come from consistency in beliefs, particularly when children come along.

By saying this you obviously mean that the LDS faith will be far stronger and the other religion will succum to it.Please do not pretend to your readers that you are ok with it... Because you cannot be ok with something that will mean "jeopardizing the stability and happiness of the home" and creating "a lack of unity and direction".

My personal concern about interfaith marriages is based on years of observation where many (certainly not all) of my friends whose parents were of differing faiths expressed concerns about the relative conflict created in the family situation because of it. I say this, not to denigrate any religion, but only to state the fact that if one spouse is strong in his faith, and the other is strong in her faith, there will be some differing points of view. These differences will (speaking generally) tend to flare up into "issues" from time to time. Especially when children come into their lives.

Naturally, my own personal experience did not include that problem, because my mother and father were of the same faith. But many of those I know who have come from an interfaith situation have expressed to me what is stated above. Consequently, it is an easy position to take when I say that I have a fear that the interfaith marriage might create problems, not only in the marriage, but also for the children. Is it specifically true in each and every interfaith situation? No, it is not. Is it generally true in most interfaith situations? Yes, it is. I hope this is helpful to you.

  (Bev's response:"I feel as if I want to address this issue also as I have been married for 22 years, and have been a member of the LDS faith for 21 years. My husband is Catholic and a wonderfully good husband, and he is the most dear father to our 5 children that he could be. However, I must say that a mixed faith marriage is not something I would ever encourage, as it is unbelievably painful at times, when we do not pull together on beliefs. I have had to spiritually raise our children alone, and I continue to do that day after day.

It is not easy to take 5 children to Church alone each week, but it is right; it is not easy for me to go to the Temple alone, while I watch other couples there, but it is what I need to do for now; it is not easy to have my little girl crying in my arms wondering when Daddy will come to Church with us, or when we can be sealed together as a 'forever family'. My testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel has to be strong and my faith in God must be cement, at all times, no down times because they can't get the spiritual example from dad. I lean on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ a lot!

I have most strongly encouraged my children to date others of the LDS faith, and to marry someone who is strong in our faith. They have seen my tears, they know of my husbands love for me, and my love for him, but they also see the pain we both feel as there is that lack of 'oneness' and spiritual direction in our life together.

We have a great marriage and family life. We are each others very best confidents and friends, but I know that we would have even more, if we were of the same faith." Very sincerely, Bev Qualheim)

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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