Angela Watrous is the author of five books on relationships and spirituality. What is the Purpose of the Rosary in Catholic Life? Someone also posted that it’s hard if you’re dating someone of a different religion, and especially if their family is deeply rooted in that religion. We've updated our Subscription site. We live in an increasingly complex world and some families may not be equipped to handle the issues of their family members. But these are some of your closest people—what is more sacred in life than continually finding your way back to the compassion and love between you? I warned her several times of the toll it would take on our relationship, sure enough my fears were realized. 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. This has nothing to do with what the bible says, it is theoretical. We don’t take seriously how severely religion can change someone, or how it … This is Biblical. Growing up was very dysfunctional, and all of that was tied back to religion. 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. One possible reason why religion promotes familial harmony is that it encourages members to follow a common set of values. To save out relationship I might have attended the church if it were catholic. We propose a conceptual framework of a dynamic system of religious and relational dualities. Religious institutions can provide moral and ethical education, emotional support and social interactions. Get Sound Legal Advice Today. For many years, studies have examined the way religion has affected human relationships, particularly families. ... Young, LGBT Latter-day Saints can’t live the ideal life of marriage and family described in their religion. Religious difference is one of humanity’s greatest sources of disconnection and violence, even though all major religions profess the ultimate values of compassion and love. I grew up in an extremely religious family with what I now see are rather fringe beliefs. In the early years of the group, strict controls were maintained the membership. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. And are you wanting that caring energy fostered within your family to extend out into the world? ... We're all living the family dynamic, as parents, as children, as siblings, uncles and aunts. 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? Charity starts at home. Although the Bible makes a clear distinction between true and false teachings, God allows each person the freedom to choose how he or she will respond. It sounds like you’re tired of the disconnection that results from these mutual demands, you sense how your current approach of avoiding the subject of faith altogether could lead to inauthenticity and unwanted distance, and yet you’re not sure how to enter into the subject in a new way that leads to compassion, understanding, and closeness. joined a church. There are many religious paths you can choose to go down. But deciding to leave isn't straightforward. If Daddy’s more devout than you, he may want the baby to be raised within his faith. Beware of tight groups that ask people to strictly conform to certain behaviors, abandon their friends and family, ask for mandatory donations, etc. 2021 Spirituality & Health (en-US) MEDIA, LLC. There are universal needs underneath this strategy of insistence: shared reality and shared values, a sense of belonging and the emotional safety that follows, familiarity and predictability, and a fervent desire to contribute to the lives (and afterlives) of others. Rabbi Rami: How can I overcome my fear when hearing Allahu Akbar? 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. 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. Readers respond to that question with a variety of personal stories and reflections. At least Amidha Buddhism is a time saver. At Motherlode, lead writer and editor KJ Dell’Antonia invites contributors and commenters to explore how our families affect our lives, and how the news affects our families—and all families. 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. 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). She supports her Restorative Empathy clients in her Oakland, CA, office and worldwide over Skype. Please log in again. Here’s the problem: They’re conservative Catholics and very adamant that their piety is the right piety. We posit that a central reason for these divergent outcomes is a system of dualities at the nexus of religion and family. If you're facing a disagreement with a former partner over your child's religious upbringing, a family law attorney can help you negotiate an agreement and, if needed, make a strong case to the court on your behalf. I am a non practicing Catholic but true to my faith and the same for her. 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. Religion gives us a solid foundation to build relationships upon like marriage. It sounds as if you and your family have a history of making demands of each other around adopting your chosen life compasses. We're all living the family dynamic, as parents, as children, as siblings, uncles and aunts. Accepting them simply means that after they hear you, you understand that they may still choose to head in the same direction as before. Here's the situation. Let’s look into the differences between religious and nonreligious families to better understand how religion affects their relationships.​​​​​. It Gives Extended Family Equal Weight. But have you ever wondered which beliefs are right for … This study also found that adolescent children of religious families managed their emotions and actions better. If you haven't done so already, please create a new password here. Confusion happens when parents are in competition over their religious beliefs. Punishments for very small things — yelling and screaming — all tied back to religion. Having a community that makes us feel welcome and supported is important. 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. This suggests that while religious families had more harmonious relationships, they were not necessarily healthy for their children. 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. The Problem of How to Greet People This Season. A study published in the Journal Developmental Psychology, found that more religious parents had more cohesive family relationships. Which brings up a bigger point: let’s stop obsessing about WHY people do things. An extreme example would be religious discrimination and terrorism. These values can prove crucial for navigating the world and relating with other people. In order to get a feeling … This week in Restorative Empathy: How can a former atheist tell his conservative Catholic family he's Protestant? 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